After two successive 66s, it was a bleak day for Jeev Milkha Singh as he managed just two birdies against one bogey for a one—under 71 and slipped to tied ninth at the Volvo China Open here on Saturday.
Shiv Kapur, the only other Indian in the field played an even par 72 in the third round with two birdies on the front nine and two bogeys on back nine at the Luxehills International Country Club.
Kapur is now six—under 210 and in tied 56th place. SSP Chowrasia had missed the cut earlier.
The wind changed the course dramatically on third day and forced the golfers play carefully.
Jeev was 13—under for 54 holes and five shots behind leader Nicolas Colsaerts, who will take a one shot lead into the final round as the Belgian seeks a first European Tour title.
Colsaerts, 28, produced a third round 66 to reach 18 under par, one stroke clear of Han Cheng—won, who was the first round leader.
Jeev birdied the first, bogeyed the second and birdied the seventh before parring the next 11 holes.
Colsaerts was the second youngest player ever to come through The European Tour Qualifying School when he graduated on his 18th birthday in 2000, but he struggled to establish himself at the top level until last year — when he managed five top—10 finishes and finished 67th on The Race to Dubai.
Colsaerts, the longest hitter on Tour in 2010, played the four par fives in five under par courtesy of an eagle at the first and three birdies.
The 19 year old former Asian Amateur champion, Han, who after a first round 64 dropped out of top—10 with a 70 on second day, birdied five of his first seven holes en route to a best—of—the—day 65.
Irelands Peter Lawrie and France’s Gregory Havret are tied for third after both carded 68s to advance to 16 under.
Overnight leader Jamie Donaldson failed to capitalise on his sparkling 61 as the Welshman slipped to fifth with a 70, but 22 players are within six shots of lead on what promises to be an exciting final day.
