Euan Walker chasing maiden DP World Tour win in China

The 30-year-old, who is chasing a maiden DP World Tour win in just his seventh start as a card holder, carded a six-under-par 66 in the penultimate circuit on the Blackstone Course at Mission Hills.

Walker, who had opened with efforts of 69 and 67, signed for seven birdies, including three on the spin on the front nine and four in six holes on the inward journey, and one bogey as he moved to 14 under par.

American Jordan Gumberg and Spaniard Jorge Campillo share the lead on 17 under, with South African Dylan Frittelli one behind and then Walker and then two others three adrift.

“It was great,” said the Ayrshireman of his day’s work. “In the context of the day, six under was brilliant. I thought the hole locations were a bit easier today than they were for the first and second round.

“I think scoring generally was pretty good. When I looked at the leaderboard before I started, I saw that there were a lot of birdies early, so, yeah, there were definitely opportunities. Conditions were good, a bit breezy but not really too much, so it was good.”

‘Just try and keep doing what I am doing’

Walker has made just one cut in his six starts so far since graduating from the Challenge Tour at the end of last season along with David Law and Daniel Young.

“Yeah, no different than usual,” he replied to being asked how he’d approach the final round with a chance of winning. “Just try and keep doing what I am doing. Have some dinner tonight, go to bed and show up tomorrow morning (laughing).”

Young is next best among the Scots to make the cut on four under, followed by Law and Calum Hill on three under and Grant Forrest on two over.