Clarke storms to lead in BMW Asian Open golf

Ryder Cup stalwart Darren Clarke stormed to the top of the leaderboard with a five-under 67 on day three of the BMW Asian Open to set himself up for a potential emotional victory.

A birdie on the 18th moved the Irishman to nine under going into the final day of the 2.3-million-dollar tournament, one shot clear of joint second-round leader Robert-Jan Derksen of the Netherlands.

England's Robert Dinwiddie, a 26-year-old rookie on the European Tour, shot a 66 for the lowest round of the tournament and outright third place at seven under.

Taiwan's Lin Wen-tang was the best placed of the Asian contingent after carding a 69 to put himself in fourth position at five under.

Exciting Chinese amateur Hu Mu, who is just 18 years old, shot a 71 and was in a pack of four players in fifth place, six strokes behind Clarke.

For Clarke, a victory on Sunday would be his first title since his wife, Heather, died of cancer in August 2006.

The 39-year-old, a mainstay in Europe's Ryder Cup team since 1997, suffered a form slump following his wife's death and he is now ranked 236 in the world.

Clarke fired three birdies on the back nine, including the one on the 18th, to give himself the outright lead going into the final round of the BMW Asian Open, which is co-sanctioned by the European and Asian tours.