Henrik Stenson grabbed a late birdie on his way to recording a one-under-par 71 to move a shot clear of young Spaniard Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano after the third round of the Asian Open on Saturday.

Ahead of the field since the opening round, the Swede had dropped off the top of the leaderboard and was heading for a level par round when a long downhill birdie putt at the par-four 16th took him to six-under for the tournament.

"It could have been better, it could have been worse," the 30-year-old told reporters at the co-sanctioned European and Asian Tour event.  "I always prefer to lead compared to being a couple of shots behind. If I can put another round together tomorrow I can hopefully take home the trophy."

Fernandez, last year's European Tour rookie of the year, scrambled well all day for his 69 and could have had a share of the lead, but for a bogey at the 18th.

He finished a shot ahead of three players sharing third on four-under; Peter O'Malley, Paul Casey and Mahal Pearce.

Ireland's Peter Lawrie and David Higgins are six shots off the pace on level par while Damien McGrane is a further two shots adrift on two-over.

Stenson, who had to play the last two shots of his second round this morning after play was suspended on Friday because of the threat of lightning, said he was not looking behind him at the chasing pack going into the final round.

"I can only concentrate on my game and play as well as I can," he said.