Lynn loses outright lead in China

England’s David Lynn, the overnight leader, was joined at the head of the field by Prayad Marksaeng early in his round on day three of the Volvo China at the Honghua International Golf Club.

Lynn, nine under through four holes, was caught by the Thai who had two birdies and a bogey in his first five.

They were one shot ahead of a chasing pack led by fellow Englishman Simon Wakefield and Scotland’s Scott Drummond.

Lynn, who is nursing a groin injury brought on by an insect bite, had taken a one-stroke lead into the third round and got off to a clean start when he parred the first hole.

A birdie at the par-five next took him further ahead but he gave that shot back immediately at the third and that allowed Marksaeng to catch him.

Scotland’s Simon Yates got off to an excellent start after an eagle at the par-five second.

Unfortunately he bogeyed the fourth and the seventh to slip back to five under.

Meanwhile, Sweden’s Stefan Edfors continued to struggle after carding a three-over 75 to go two-over for the tournament.

“I haven’t been playing as well. I haven’t been putting very well and it was tough to make any birdies and as soon I missed the green, I made a bogey,” said Edfors, the TCL Classic winner in Hainan, China, last month.

“I guess the course at Hainan suited my game more. My driving was real good then. Hopefully, I will make a good round tomorrow and get a decent finish.

“I wasn’t playing so bad actually. I just didn’t hole any putts. I only made one birdie for the whole day. It was a bit of a struggle.”

Ireland's Peter Lawrie finished his round on -3, with Damien McGrane two shots further back.