David Howell came agonisingly close to a 54-hole European and Asian Tour record as he maintained his red-hot run at China's TCL Classic on Saturday.

　　The English ace left a birdie putt on the 18th two inches short as he finished the third round on 23-under 193.

　　That equalled the mark set by Ernie Els at the 2003 Johnnie Walker Classic in Perth.

　　Howell shot a 66 to stay one stroke ahead of Australian playing partner Andrew Buckle, who carded a 65 on a scorching day at Yalong Bay Golf Club in Sanya on the southern island of Hainan.

　　Howell, the current European No.1, fired four birdies and an eagle to retain the lead in the US$1 million TCL Classic - co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours - but saw Buckle narrow the gap.

　　"It was hard work, to be honest," he said. "Andrew played fantastically well and put pressure on me. He played beautifully on the front nine while I just didn't get going. All in all, it was a bit of a struggle.

　　"I said to myself the first two days had been easy, so just stay patient and try and shoot a 67. I managed to beat that by one shot in the end, so I'm delighted."

　　Howell breathed life into his round with an eagle on the par-five 13th.

　　"That was important. I hit it close on the 11th and missed the putt and 12 was playing easy but I made a poor pitch. Andrew made a couple of birdies there so it was vital to make a birdie at least and the eagle was a bonus."

　　Howell speculated he would need to finish the tournament on 30-under - which would be a European Tour record - to win the TCL Classic, which is promoted by Parallel Media Asia.

　　"That's a pretty meteoric number to get for four rounds of golf," he said.

　　"You're not going to get many opportunities in life to do that so 65 tomorrow would give me a chance of winning the tournament with a stylish number."

　　Buckle had eight birdies against a lone bogey as he went toe-to-toe with Howell.

　　"It was nice, I played very well and ended up with 65, so I'm happy," said the Australian.

　　"I was just trying to concentrate on my own game and add up the scores at the end of the day. It gives you confidence if you're playing well.

　　"I'll be playing with David tomorrow. We had a great day today, very enjoyable, and I just need to keep doing what I'm doing."

　　Two shots off the pace on 21-under was Johan Edfors, who surged into contention for the TCL Classic title with a nine-under 63.

　　Edfors, who had five birdies on the front nine and four more coming home, said he would need a repeat performance on Sunday.

　　"I'm looking forward to playing tomorrow," said the Swede, who at one point in his career had England soccer manager Sven Goran Eriksson's son as his caddy.

　　"I've been playing well all week but today I started making a few putts. I actually left a couple out there. Another good round tomorrow and I might be on top.

　　"The way Howell is playing, I was thinking 30-under was going to win. A 63 is halfway there and I need another one tomorrow."

　　Edfors has fond memories of the last time he played against Howell.

　　"I beat him the last time I played him - in a boys tournament 13 years ago in Switzerland! I beat him one up."

　　Nick Dougherty also entered the frame with a 64 that left him on 19-under, four shots off the pace.

　　The young English star finished with a flourish with birdies on the final three holes. "I needed that - those birdies have changed the whole scenario for me," said Dougherty.

　　"On 18, my driver went a bit rough, but I hit a good shot in and holed a good putt from 18 feet. It was an important one and hopefully means there is a change coming and I will hole a few tomorrow."

　　India's Jeev Milkha Singh ended the day in fifth place, one shot behind Dougherty and five off the pace, after six-under 66.

　　ENDS