Golfer McGrane takes lead in China Open

Ireland's Damien McGrane looked positioned for the maiden win of his career after a four-under-par 68 shot him to the top of the leaderboard in the third round of the China Open on Saturday.

Overnight leader Michael Lorenzo-vera of France slipped down to a share of second place with England's Oliver Wilson after they both finished with a total of eight-under-par 208 at the Beijing CBD International Golf Club, three strokes behind McGrane.

Two-time Asian Tour winner Scott Strange of Australia carded the day's best score of 66 for a 210 total to finish in fourth place while current Asian Tour Order of Merit leader Mark Brown of New Zealand was a further shot back in fifth on 211.

Defending champion Markus Brier of Austria, Jason Knutzon of the United States and Fabrizio Zanotti of Paraguay were tied for sixth after they returned with matching 212s.

McGrane started the day tied for second but shot three consecutive birdies starting from the 199-yard par-three third hole.

Bogeys on the sixth and seventh cut his lead back but the Irishman made amends with four more birdies against a lone bogey on his homeward run to take him to the brink of his first title win.

"I am looking for my first win and I have been close for a number of years now. I have to start somewhere and you've to start with one. The sooner it comes, the better," said McGrane.

Asian Tour regular Strange, who started the day tied for 23rd, made the biggest move of the day after his sparkling round of 66 took him to fourth place.

The 31-year-old Australian got off steadily on his opening front nine with a birdie on the second.

But it was only on his homeward nine that Strange began to mount a spectacular charge for the title.

He reeled in five more birdies, starting from the 11th, then moving on to three consecutive ones from the tricky 14th before closing with a last on the 18th.

Brown also made a good move up from 13th place to tied-sixth but believes he will have to do better with his tee shots to move within sight of the title at the 2.2-million dollar event.

"I didn't really play very well from tee to green. I just hung in there with my short game the whole day," said Brown.

"Tomorrow, you've got to have one of those days where you've to shoot very low scores. If I hit the fairways, it's possible. Hopefully the driver will behave," added Brown.

Home favourite Liang Wenchong was tied for 14th on 214.

"I'm very happy to see the huge crowds who have been following me throughout the week. It is also very heartwarming to see family bringing their kids to the golf course today," said the Chinese star.

"It's nice to see young kids like them being exposed and introduced to the game at such a young game as this bodes well for the future and development of golf in China."