Clarke holds lead in China

Darren Clarke is in prime position for a first win on the European Tour in five years after an impressive five-under-par 67 in the third round of the BMW Asian Open put him one stroke clear at the top of the leaderboard.

The 2006 Ryder Cup star had started the day a shot off the pace after a three-under-par 69 yesterday and he continued his good form today with some particularly impressive putting.

Clarke picked up his first birdie on the par-five second when he putted from 12 feet and after putting to save par on the next hole he then added another birdie on the sixth, hitting his approach shot to within seven feet of the pin before making the putt.

The Northern Irishman made par on the rest before adding a birdie on the 10th and finished strongly with birdie-putts on the par-five 15th and 18th to secure the clubhouse lead going into the final round.

“I played really well today,” said Clarke. “I am very pleased with the way I hit the ball and I think a 67 is very good.

“I am looking forward to tomorrow and I just hope I can keep doing what I am doing.”

Clarke is one stroke ahead of joint second-round leader Robert-Jan Derksen after the Dutchman carded a three-under-par 69 today.

Derksen bogeyed the fifth before completing the front nine strongly with birdies on the sixth and par-four ninth.

He then added three more birdies against one bogey coming home to ensure he remains in contention.

European Tour rookie Robert Dinwiddie had taken the clubhouse lead after a superb run on the back nine saw him return to the clubhouse with a six-under-par 66.

The 25-year-old made the ideal start with a birdie on the par-four first and then picked up another on the fourth before double bogeying the seventh.

That proved to be the only blot on his scorecard as Dinwiddie added another birdie on the ninth and then an impressive five birdies in his last seven holes ensured he finished seven-under-par overall and well-placed to challenge for a maiden title.

“I am very happy,” he said.

“I had a couple of steady rounds and then to go out and shoot a really good one today and put myself in contention for tomorrow it is great.

“I putted very, very well for the last seven holes. All in all I played nice steady golf and took all the opportunities I had.”

Lin Wen-tang of Chinese Taipei is three strokes off the lead at five under-par overall after carding a three-under-par 69.

World number 13 Henrik Stenson finished his round level par after carding four birdies and two double bogeys and is even par overall while defending champion Raphael Jacquelin was back in the clubhouse at five over par overall after carding 74 today.