Danish star Bjorn again

Thomas Bjorn continued to banish the “demons” which have plagued his game by moving into contention for the Volvo China Open title on a course designed to drive away evil spirits.

For a man who talked of his game falling apart in July, it would be fitting if Bjorn were to return to winning ways at the Shanghai Silport course.

He referred directly to “fighting demons” earlier in the year and cannot have missed the 40 stone lion, tiger and dragon statues from the Ming and Qing dynasties which feature prominently throughout the 18 holes.

The beasts date back to the 14th century and tradition has it that they keep evil forces at a distance.

With a third-round 68 today. Bjorn, the only player in the world’s top 100 taking part, moved into a share of second place with fellow Dane Soren Hansen on five under par.

But they still need to make up a three-stroke deficit on 38-year-old Welshman Stephen Dodd, who overcame a triple bogey on the seventh hole to preserve his 36-hole advantage with a 70.

Fifteen years on from his European Tour debut and after 10 trips to the qualifying school, Dodd is chasing his first victory.

He has never taken any lead into the final day and said: “We will see what happens.”

A British amateur champion in 1989 and a member that same year of the first Walker Cup side to win on American soil, Dodd was asked if he had expected more of himself sooner.