Ross Fisher takes over lead

Rising star Ross Fisher of England sparkled for the third round lead at the US$1.3 million Volvo China Open on a day when local hero Zhang Lian-wei launched a ferocious title charge on Saturday.

The 25-year-old Fisher fired a four-under-par 68 at Shenzhen Golf Club, thanks to a superb inward nine with four birdies as his three-day total of 11-under-par 205 gave him a one-shot lead over halfway leader Chawalit Plaphol of Thailand, who stumbled with a 74, and another of England's young turks, Oliver Wilson who signed for a 71.

However, the story of the day belonged to the 40-year-old Zhang, who is playing in front of his adoring hometown fans and on a course which he has been the resident pro for the last 15 years.

Zhang, China's stalwart on the international front with five triumphs on the Asian Tour, charged into contention with the day's best of 66 but was disappointed to bogey his last hole as he ended the day two strokes off the lead.

"It was probably one of the best rounds of the year for me," said Zhang. "After the second round, I was nine back and it was a big gap. I putted really well today and now, I'm a lot closer to the lead and I think I have a good chance for tomorrow."

The Chinese ace started the day a massive nine shots off the pace and raised the roof with a sensational round. Ironically, his last win two years ago was at the 2003 Volvo China Open and Zhang knows another dream victory is within striking reach.

After seven straight pars, Zhang burst to life with consecutive birdies on the eighth and ninth holes from four and 10 feet respectively. The adrenaline was in full flow when Zhang eagled the par five 12th, nailing a five iron approach to 12 feet to set up the putt. Three more birdies on the 14th, 16th and 17th saw him take the sole lead for the first time this week before a late blemish at the closing hole where he took two shots to get out from the greenside trap.

"I rushed it a bit on 18. I was playing pretty well but coming in I was a bit nervous and impatient. It was a pity that I had to bogey the last hole. I'm sure there will be a lot of pressure tomorrow. But I will try to smile the whole way round," said Zhang.

Desperate to end a two-year winless run, Zhang also realises that the weight of the nation rests squarely on his shoulders. "It will mean so much to China golf. Our golf history is about 20 years now and Volvo, Richtone Worldwide (the event promoter) and the China Golf Association have worked so hard to develop the game here. I hope to play well again tomorrow," said Zhang.

The precocious talent of Fisher, visiting China for the first time, showed the maturity of a veteran as he put himself in pole position with 18 holes remaining. He turned in 36 after two birdies against as many dropped shots before shifting gears with a run of four birdies over six holes on his inward nine.

"To be honest, I felt like I struggled a bit off the tee and didn't hit a fairway till the seventh. But I putted the lights out today. It was a shame that I didn't birdie the last two holes but I hung in there and battled well," said Fisher, who is playing in his first full season on the European Tour. "To see my name at the top is an awesome feeling and I can't wait for tomorrow now."

Chawalit, who held an overnight three-shot advantage, endured a roller coaster outward nine, mixing three bogeys, one double bogey and two birdies for a 39 before steadying the ship with a birdie on 12. The Thai pulled off a miraculous par save at the last hole after finding trouble in the trees and draining six-foot putt for par.

"I just drove the ball badly all day and kept hooking it to the left. At the practice range, I didn't feel good and it carried into the round. It was really good to save par on the last hole which kept me only one off the lead," said Chawalit.

England 's Barry Lane and Miles Tunnicliff and Dane Soren Kjeldsen are tied fifth, three off the lead while India 's Gaurav Ghei, Jyoti Randhawa and Shiv Kapur were a further stroke back on 209.

Veteran Lane produced his second 67 of the week, which sandwiched a disappointing 74 on Friday, and knows that a Zhang victory would reinforce the prestige that the Volvo China Open has for golf in the Middle Kingdom.

"Oh yes, for the China Open, for Volvo, for the European Tour and the Asian Tour," said Lane when asked for his thoughts after seeing Zhang's name on the board. "He has always been a very good player and has won on the European Tour before. But to play in China , at the Volvo China Open and to play well is fantastic for China and the whole of Asia ," said Lane.

Current Asian Tour Order of Merit leader Thaworn Wiratchant signed for a 72 for tied 22nd place alongside last season's number one Thongchai Jaidee, who shot a 70.

Volvo has also announced that prize money for next year's Volvo China Open will increase by US$500,000 to US$1.8 million next year, which cements its places at one of Asia 's finest championships.

The Volvo China Open is co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour where it is the third-to-last event in Asia and the second leg of the 2006 season for Europe .

Leading third round scores

205 - Ross Fisher (ENG) 69-68-68

206 - Chawalit Plaphol (THA) 65-67-74, Oliver Wilson (ENG) 68-67-71

207 - Zhang Lian-wei (CHN) 70-71-66

208 - Soren Kjeldsen (DEN) 74-67-67, Barry Lane (ENG) 67-74-67, Miles Tunnicliff (ENG) 68-70-70

209 - Gaurav Ghei (IND) 72-70-67, Peter Lawrie (IRL) 69-72-68, Anders Hansen (DEN) 70-70-69, Fredrik Widmark (SWE) 75-65-69, Shiv Kapur (IND) 69-70-70, Jyoti Randhawa (IND) 71-67-71, Francois Delamontagne (FRA) 65-70-74

210 - Keith Horne (RSA) 74-68-68, Scott Strange (AUS) 73-67-70, Paul Casey (ENG) 71-69-70, Kenneth Ferrie (ENG) 70-70-70, Simon Yates (SCO) 68-68-74

211 - Daniel Vancsik (ARG) 73-70-68, Boonchu Ruangkit (THA) 67-73-71

212 - Johan Skold (SWE) 68-75-69, Jean Van De Velde (FRA) 73-70-69, Soren Hansen (DEN) 70-72-70, Thongchai Jaidee (THA) 72-70-70, Gregory Bourdy (FRA) 73-69-70, Brad Kennedy (AUS) 72-70-70, Steven Jeppesen (SWE) 72-69-71, Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 72-68-72

213 - Robert Karlsson (SWE) 73-71-69, Clay Devers ( USA ) 71-72-70, Joakim Haeggman (SWE) 74-69-70, Scott Drummond (SCO) 73-70-70, David Park (WAL) 69-73-71, Ron Won ( USA ) 74-68-71, Anthony Wall (ENG) 71-71-71

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