ZHANG ON BRINK OF VICTORY IN GUANGZ

　　Zhang Lianwei opened up a three-stroke lead after the third round of the Guangzhou Leg of the Omega China Tour today at Dragon Lake Golf Club.

　　Bidding for his second successive victory on the eight-leg Tour, Zhang carded a one-under-par 71 for a three-round total of six-under-par 210.

　　Yuan Hao is in sole possession of second place after also firing a 71 while a two strokes further back is Zheng Wengen, who came in with a 74.

　　Zhang has set an unrelenting pace on Tour this year. He was second in the season-opening Sofitel Golf Championship in Nanjing and claimed a wire-to-wire victory in the ensuing Qingdao Leg.

　　“I really consider myself an athlete not just a golfer. It is a professional approach that allows me to keep my focus and produce this consistent form,” said Zhang, who currently leads the Omega Order of Merit list.

　　His lead could have been more but he missed a three foot birdie putt on the par-four 18th. He opened with a birdie and then reeled off eight straight pars before dropping a shot on the 10th. Birdies on 14 and 15 allowed him to take a firm grip of the tournament.

　　“What is also helping me now is going back to my normal swing. Last year I worked on trying to swing more upright but it was difficult. I am now swinging like I always have, a little flat, and the results have come. I’d still like to work on the swing change but with my busy schedule this year there really is no time,” added the 42 year old.

　　The Chinese ace claimed two titles last year on his way to winning the Merit list.

　　Yuan has been knocking on the door of a victory this year. He was the joint third round leader in the Sofitel Golf Championship before finishing third, and was in contention in Qingdao before tumbling down the leader board on the final day with an 82.

　　While being paired with Zhang in the final round may be somewhat intimidating, Yuan’s unrivalled length off the tee will give him extra confidence.

　　“Yuan is definitely the biggest hitter in China. He is 20 yards past me with a driver,” said Zhang.

　　Li Chao, winner of the Merit list title in 2005, continued his remarkable rise up the leader board after firing an opening round of 82. He has followed that with scores of 67 and 68 to lie one over par for the tournament.

　　Wu Kangchun, winner of the first event this year and currently second on the Merit list, and Huang Mingjie are also tied with Li.

　　Wu shot a 72 and Huang returned a 73.