Clarke on course for Shanghai surprise

Darren Clarke maintained his challenge for the BMW Asian Open title by holding a share of the lead alongside Robert-Jan Derksen midway through the final round in Shanghai.

The Northern Irishman had started the day top of the leaderboard after carding an impressive five-under 67 yesterday for nine-under-par overall.

He dropped to eight under after carding a bogey on the par-three third today but recovered with a birdie at the fifth and made par on the rest to keep himself in a good position to end a five-year wait for an 11th European Tour win.

Dutchman Derksen had reached the turn at one under par after carding a birdie on the par-four fourth.

The 34-year-old is chasing his third victory on the Tour, with his last success coming at the Madeira Island Open three years ago.

Lin Wen-tang of Chinese Taipei was three-strokes off the lead through nine after carding a birdie on the third and making par on the rest.

Briton Robert Dinwiddie, who had shot a superb six-under 66 yesterday to put himself in contention for a maiden European Tour win, was having a less productive run on the front nine.

The 25-year-old bogeyed the first and though he picked up a shot on the next hole, he then carded three more bogeys before the turn to drop to four under overall.

Henrik Stenson, whose challenge faded following a four-over 76 in the second round, finished strongly and was back in the clubhouse with a four-under 68.

The Swede carded five birdies and just one bogey to finish four-under overall.