Defending champion Alex Levy will be part of a sprint finish during the final round of the Volvo China Open after the Frenchman ended day three in a four-way tie for the lead.
The 24 year old Frenchman started the day a shot behind compatriot Julien Quesne, but found himself two shots clear after birdieing his first four holes.
However, there were no further gains for the 24 year old and four bogeys led to a level par 72 at Tomson Shanghai Pudong Golf Club, allowing England’s David Howell and Chinese pair Li Hao-tong and Wu Ashun to draw level on eight under par.
The 19 year old Li, runner-up in last week’s Shenzhen International, and Wu will both seeking to become the first Chinese player to win a European Tour event on home soil.
Alex Levy facing Shanghai shootout if he’s to successfully defend Volvo China Open title. (Photo – www.europeantour.com)
Two-time European Tour winner Levy’s early birdie burst included a 60 foot putt on the third, but it came to a halt when he ran through the green twice at the fifth en route to his first dropped shot.
Howell, whose last win came at St Andrews 18 months ago, followed six straight pars with birdies at the seventh and eighth before holing a curling 40 footer on the tenth.
Good approach play set up further gains on the 11th and 13th, but he dropped his only shot of the day at the next after pitching into a bunker.
“It was a very nice day for me,” said the 39 year old after his round of 68.
“I felt like there was a score to be had out there, and I adapted to the conditions much better than I did yesterday, when I struggled with the comparative softness of the course. I knew what to expect today, and took advantage.
“I really got it going nicely around the turn. I had a few chances early on which I didn’t take, but I managed to stay patient and eventually the birdies came.”
Li dropped a shot at the long second, but managed to recover with four birdies to turn in 33 before parring his way in for a 69, which was matched by Wu.
Sweden’s Magnus A Carlsson shot the best round of the day – his 65 moving him 37 places up the leaderboard to share fifth with England’s Seve Benson, Scot Richie Ramsay and Thailand’s Prom Meesawat on six under.
* Thanks to www.europeantour.com
