Home favourite Haotong Li started the day seven shots behind and carded a flawless 63 featuring an eagle at the par-5 3rd to reach 10-under and move into a share of the lead at the Volvo China Open.
“Everything seemed to go my way compared to yesterday. Just very pleased to see this result today,” said Li. “My putter was very hot today.
“[My approach game] was very important. The greens were very soft compared to yesterday. I was as aggressive as usual and got my reward.
“I believe everyone has high expectations of me, which is good. I enjoy that pressure and support. Hopefully I can bring some good stuff for the weekend.”
Spain’s Eugenio Chacarra made a single bogey and five birdies, four of them consecutively from the 4th, to sign for a 67 and reach the top of the leaderboard.
“It was a solid round, my game was sharp,” said Chacarra. “I missed two greens and one fairway all day, so I’m happy. Just that I think I hurt my thumb on the last hole so I’m worried about that, we will see how it feels tomorrow.”
Finland’s Tapio Pulkkanen who held the overnight lead after a bogey-free 62 made four birdies and three bogeys for a 70 and retains a share of the lead.
“I think it’s going to be good fun,” he said. “I’ve played with Haotong before in China and there were a lot of people watching at that time as well. I’m just going to keep doing my own thing and play well tee to green.”
Germany’s Jannik De Bruyn made a single bogey and recorded a 65 to take solo fourth place at 8-under followed one shot further behind by China’s Zecheng Dou who made two eagles at the par-5s 3rd and 18th for a bogey-free 65.
