Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin put himself in position for a wire-to-wire victory at the Asian Open, carding a two-under-par 70 to take a one-stroke lead into the final round of the $2.3 million event.
The 32-year-old, who led for two rounds at the China Open last week and finished second in Portugal at the start of the month, mixed four birdies with a couple of bogeys to finish the third round on 11-under, a shot ahead of Australian Scott Hend.
The leaders will have an earlier start than usual, however, as organisers have decided their best hope of avoiding the worst of the forecast rain is to start three-balls from two tees with a projected finish in the early afternoon.
"It's going to be difficult if it's raining heavily and I think the winner's going to save more pars than the others," said Jacquelin, who led from start to finish when he won his sole European Tour title at the 2005 Madrid Open.
"I'm going to try my best on every shot. If I do it, I'll be very happy, if not I'll try again next week."
Scot Simon Yates shot an eight-under-par 64, matching the Tomson course record set by Thai Somkiat Srisanga in 2004, to take a share of third on nine under with Swede Joakim Backstrom and Dane Soren Kjeldsen.
Yates's better known compatriot Colin Montgomerie is lurking three shots off in a share of sixth with last week's winner Markus Brier of Austria and Dane Soren Hansen.
"I missed five putts today and if I don't win tomorrow it's because of that," the Scot, clearly unimpressed with his 69, said.
World number five Ernie Els recorded a 62 at this course on his way to a 13-stroke victory at 26 under in 2005, but he was kept out of the record books because preferred lies were played.
Birdies on three of his last four holes put the South African in a share of 11th at six-under on Saturday and he still believes he has a chance of winning.
"If I can be within three or four, even five, I have a really good shot at it tomorrow but I still have to shoot quite low," said the three-time major winner after his 68.
Ireland's Gary Murphy (66), Graeme McDowell (69) and Damien McGrane (69) are all four under par, seven shots off the lead. Peter Lawrie (72) is well off the pace at two over.
England's Paul Casey, who was out of the running at four over, withdrew with a neck injury.
