SHANGHAI, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Adrian Otaegui put himself within reach of his second Volvo China Open title on Saturday when the UAE-based pro blitzed the field to shoot a nine-under 62 for a one-shot lead at the event.
Through three rounds at Enhance Anting Golf Club, Otaegui, who won the tournament two years ago in Shenzhen, was 16-under 197 at the tournament, a DP World Tour and China Tour co-sanctioned event.
Starting the day five shots off the lead, Otaegui was on from the start with a birdie at the first, followed by a chip-in eagle two at the 348-yard fourth hole. After his lone bogey of the day at the fifth hole, he then reeled off five consecutive birdies from the seventh hole.
He would finish strongly with a chip-in birdie from off the green at the par-three 16th, and scrambling for another birdie at the 614-yard last.
"I'm very happy with the way I finished, the way I stayed patient," said Otaegui who was making no predictions for tomorrow's final round.
"You know how golf is, every day is different. My game's good. I've been playing good. I have been putting well and I am confident. All I want to do is keep going, keep doing the same and give myself a chance for tomorrow," he added.
Austrian Bernd Wiesberger, the overnight co-leader, was a shot back after a three-under 68. South African Shaun Norris, the other overnight co-leader shot even-par 71 to sit four shots off the pace. Spaniard Alejandro del Ray (70), the first-round leader, was five shots back.
Wiesberger was alone atop the leaderboard for much of the day as his fifth birdie of the round on the par-five 10th got him to 16-under. He would then fall a shot behind Otaegui, who was playing several groups ahead, when he three-putted the 420-yard 15th hole. He would shoot par for the final three holes.
"It's going to be a fun day tomorrow. Adrian is a great player and obviously had a good day today. I'm playing well, so I'm looking forward to getting out there again tomorrow. Hopefully I start as good as I did today and leave it all out there," Wiesberger said.
Jin Zihao (71) and Peng Bo (68) were the top Chinese in a group of six players eight shots back. Defending champion Wu Ashun (70) was a shot further back. ■
