Print this page  |  Close Window

SHANGHAI, China -- Austrian Markus Brier shot a 4-under-par 67 Saturday to take the lead after the third round of the Volvo China Open. Brier had seven birdies and three bogeys at the Shanghai Silport Golf Club to go to 6-under 207.

The $2 million event is co-sanctioned by the European Tour and the Asian Tour.

Scott Hend of Australia was a stroke back after a 1-under 70, followed by Andrew McLardy (67) of South Africa, who was 4 under.

Overnight leader Raphael Jacquelin of France stumbled to a 75 to share fourth place with Richard Sterne (69) of South Africa and Graeme McDowell (70) of Northern Ireland at 3 under. Argentina's Andres Romero was a stroke back after shooting a 73.

Past winner Stephen Dodd of Wales had a 73 to sit eight strokes back of the lead with Danish Ryder Cup star Thomas Bjorn (73).

McDowell felt it was only a matter of time before he started challenging for titles again after recording his third successive 70. The 27-year-old has returned to the European Tour on a full-time basis for 2007 after playing 15 events with mixed success on the PGA Tour in America last year, and will be chasing only his third European success on Sunday.

And McDowell is confident of overcoming his three-shot deficit and adding to wins at the Italian Open in 2004 and the Scandinavian Masters in 2002.

"My game's been in great shape all year," said the man from Portrush, whose only top-10 finish so far this season came in a tie for fourth at the Qatar Masters in January. "I had an okay start to the season and got in good positions but didn't really finish them off. But I know I've been playing really well and I'm very content with what I'm doing.

"For me, it's just a question of patience, I've got to keep playing as well as I am and let the finishes sort themselves out," he added. "I know what I'm doing around this golf course so let's see what happens."

Brier will partner Hend in the final group on Sunday after finishing strongly with three consecutive birdies in an impressive 67 in what proved another testing day for the players as the stiff breeze again changed direction to make low scores hard to come by.

The 38-year-old became the first Austrian to win on the European Tour when he triumphed in his home tournament last June in Vienna but, despite his relative inexperience, feels his advanced years could give him a crucial edge Sunday.

"I'll be a little bit nervous, but I've been in this position before and that helps," Brier said. "I am a bit more experienced than the other guys, so hopefully that will be an advantage.

"Maybe I was a bit slow growing up golf-wise," he explained. "I was late turning professional at the age of 27 and it takes me a bit longer to do things, especially on the mental side of things.

"Technically, I was okay and now my mental approach has got better. But the good thing about golf is that age is not a factor."

Brier revealed he would not be changing his approach Sunday, either.

"I've learnt the lesson that you can't force anything," he said. "I'll go through the same routine as the first three days and hope it is enough."

Hend, one of the longest drivers on tour, is a shot back in second place and revealed a calmer approach to his golf is paying off for the Australian.

"I've been working hard to concentrate more on the process than the outcome," he said. "Today was a good step as it shows what I'm doing is working instead of getting frustrated."

Hend was also left to count his blessings when escaping with only a bogey on the ninth hole after a wayward drive left him in trouble.

"I got lucky on the ninth," he added. "I think my ball hit the clubhouse and I ended up making a 5. It could have been 8 or 9 so I dodged a bullet there."

Copyright 2007 Associated Press and PA Sport. All rights reserved.