Liao, Zhang and Su face off Sofitel showdown(2)

　　Zhang set up the clash of the ‘three generations’ after he bagged five birdies against one bogey on the back nine and will be looking for his seventh title in his 15th appearance on the circuit.

　　“I played very well, with my three-putt bogey on 17 my only mistake. I’m happy, especially as I was only one-under after the front nine. I’m still three shots behind, so I’ll have to work hard to get ahead. Liao Guiming is putting very well, but I think one of the three of us should win.”

　　A legend in Chinese golf since turning pro in 1994, Zhang has taken Su under his wing in the past few months, with the teenager carrying his bag in the Volvo China Open and BMW Asian Open recently.

　　“We’re good friends and often practise together. I know on the driving range and through practice rounds how far he hits the ball, so I’ve been learning from him in this respect,” Zhang smiled. “We’ll have dinner tonight and talk with about preparing for the final round. I hope we all score well.”

　　Su’s best finish on the Omega China Tour was in last month’s Kunming Championship, when he finished third behind Chinese Taipei’s Lu Wen-teh and 16-year-old Benny Ye Jianfeng, another of China’s ‘new generation’ of teenage stars along with 18-year-old Hu Mu.

　　“Today, I felt relaxed but I was rushing my swing on my approach shots. I drove well again, but my short game was off. Professionals stay steady when it comes to the last rounds or in pressure situations,” Su said.

　　“In October, my knees were shaking on the first tee when I played with Zhang and Li Chao in the third round of the Omega Championship in Beijing. I knew all about Zhang then, but not personally as a friend. Now, we get on really well and have become good friends, so I won’t be nervous on Sunday.”