Saturday 1 November 2014 11:20, UK
Alexander Levy shot 63 on Saturday to set the lowest 54-hole score on the European Tour this year with his 22-under-par putting him four shots in front at the BMW Masters.
The Frenchman followed opening rounds of 65 and 66 with a bogey-free round of 63, nine-under-par, to charge into the lead at Lake Malaren Golf Club in Shanghai.
The 24-year-old started the day a shot behind leader Nicolas Colsaerts, but as the Belgian struggled to a 73 his playing partner came flying out of the blocks with three straight birdies to open up his third round.
Birdies on the sixth and seventh followed as Levy reached the turn in 31, and he picked up four more birdies on his back nine to continue his flying form after winning the rain-shortened Portugal Masters three weeks ago.
"I played amazing golf," said Levy. "I'm very surprised by myself. I started well and made some early birdies and hit some amazing shots. I am very happy with the way I played golf today.
"It's nice to be in this position. It was pretty much the same when I won in China so I am going to enjoy the game tomorrow, do my best and see what happens."
Levy now heads into Sunday’s final round sitting on a four-shot lead ahead of Ryder Cup winner Jamie Donaldson, who moved into contention by going one better than Levy and shooting 62.
Donaldson also went bogey-free and had eight birdies on the card already when the man who won the winning points at Gleneagles grabbed an eagle two on the 16th when his second shot pitched just beyond the flag and spun back into the hole.
"Obviously the course suits my game," said the 39-year-old Donaldson. "I've shot 10-under before and I've done it today which is great. I got the ball rolling better on the greens which made a big difference and obviously that shot on 16 is a big bonus.
"I've been playing well for a few years now so things have been getting better each year. I've been improving and winning was just a matter of time. Now it's obviously to a point where I'm trying to win more than once in a year. Everything is a progression and I'm just working towards getting better and moving the goal posts."
Germany’s Marcel Siem is in third place outright on 17-under after he shot a flawless seven-under round of 65, and he’s two shots in front of Justin Rose who is still just about in touch on 15-under with him sitting seven shots off the pace.
The world No 6 has had to battle back hard following a shocking start to the tournament that saw him go four over after just four holes, but a third-round 64 with nine birdies and just one bogey ensured he at least has the leaders in sight.
"I think I've done my part but I didn't bank on everyone else going as low as they are," Rose said. "Obviously Mr Levy is going ridiculous out there right now. I would have thought I'd be in a bit better shape going into Sunday than I am, but every credit to the lads that are keeping it going out there.
"If everything went my way today, five better is what I could have been. I missed probably five putts inside eight feet today and still shot eight under par. I had three eagle putts out there, so plenty of opportunities to go low.”
Emiliano Grillo, who still just about holds the lowest three-round total on the European Tour this year with his 193 at the African Open just one stroke better than Levy’s 194, sits in fifth on 13-under alongside overnight leader Colsaerts.
The Belgian couldn’t get going playing with flying Frenchman Levy, and he was one-under heading down the last but made a double-bogey six on the 18th to sign for a 73.
