2006 Omega China Tour Shanghai Leg - Round 3: Packed leader board delights Zhang Lianwei

Despite a bogey on the final hole that robbed him of the outright lead, Zhang Lianwei walked off the 18th green a delighted man at the end of the third round of the Omega China Tour – Shanghai Leg. The godfather of golf in his homeland took one last look at the names clustered around his, and could contain his joy.

"It is such a great feeling to look up and see such a tight leader board," exclaimed the 41-year-old Zhang, whose eagle on the par 4 16 th eased him towards a tie with Jimmy Qi Zengfa and Wu Weihuang on six under par going into the final round. Another three players – Li Chao, amateur Fan Zhipeng and Huang Mingjie – are within two shots.

"It is wonderful to see so many players paying better than they ever have before, especially on this course. From the first day we've seen some of the best scoring as a group in the Omega China Tour's history. This tells us that there are a lot of good guys coming up from behind and that's exactly what we need for Chinese golf. To me it's a blessing."

Seeking divine intervention is Jimmy Qi. Both he and his playing partner Wu shot four-under-par bogey-free rounds of 68. Qi, a jovial 39-year-old Shanghai native, came out of a two-year retirement because of his gnawing desire to fill a gaping hole in his CV. A pro since 1994 Qi has never enjoyed the sweet taste of victory, yet the former junior international rower claims he has never lost his appetite.

"As a professional, all you want to do is win. I might not show that in the same way as the other guys, but if I play well of course I will win eventually," he argued.

"As long as I play well there is no reason why I can't be a champion. The only thing that matters is to cut down on my mistakes."

Qi's record is littered with 'previous' on that count. His career stats are littered with top-five finishes and he openly admits that, despite the fact that he'll be paired with his friend Wu again, going out in the last pairing is not to his taste.

"I don't like it. I've been in the leading group a few times and blown my chance, always around the 16 th hole," he confessed.

Wu, however, has no such qualms.

"I'm not quite sure about why Qi Zengfa doesn't want to play in the leading group, but I'm really happy. You have to be good to be in that group!" he exclaimed.

The 38-year-old got good thanks to some home-help. Furious with his putting after day two, he persuaded fellow Xiamen native Yang Shengqin to stick around after missing the cut on Friday.

"Thank God I had him to read my lines: Bogey free and four birdies! I haven't been able to do this so far because I haven't been able to read the greens. I knew he was good at this, but Jesus! He did a great job!" Wu enthused.

Wu will need Yang's help again in the final round as Li Chao is still breathing down the necks of the leaders. He's a shot behind after two bogeys on the back nine led to an even par round. Li's playing partner, amateur Fan Zhipeng, showed remarkable composure to stay in contention too, but slipped from a share of the lead when poor shot-selection led to a double-bogey on the eighteenth. Fan will be paired with Huang Mingjie, who is also four-under-par after claiming the course record with a six-under-par 66 on day three.

"It's the best round of my entire career!" he said through as smile as broad as the Yangtze River. "It's the first time I've had a course record. I didn't even know I had broken it until someone told me. I'm so happy, especially as this 66 has put me back into contention. Everything went my way!"

Omega China Tour – Shanghai Leg

Leading Third Round Scores (Par 72)

210 – Qi Zengfa 72-70-68, Wu Weihuang 69-73-68, Zhang Lianwei 69-71-70

211 – Li Chao 69-70-72,

212 – Fan Zhipeng (A) 69-70-73, Huang Mingjie 74-72-66,

214 – Xiao Zhijin 70-72-72

215 – Cui Xiaolong 73-72-70

216 – Liao Guiming 69-74-73, Shang Lei 70-75-71

217 – Chen Yu 71-72-74, Qiu Zhifeng 70-78-69, Yuan Hao 75-71-71

218 – Meng Qingpeng 73-72-73

219 – Gu Cuilin 70-75-74, Sun Peng 75-73-71, Xia Zhengrong 72-76-71

220 – Zhang Jiyong 76-73-71