Ross Fisher found it hard to hide his delight after shooting a third round 65 at the World Golf Championships - HSBC Champions that put him just three shots off the lead at Sheshan International Golf Club.
The Englishman made the turn in 34 but came to life on the back nine, registering three birdies and an eagle to give himself a chance of claiming a first European Tour victory of the season.
"I'm absolutely delighted," he said. "I knew the scoring was going to be pretty good today.
"The first two days, I was kind of playing catch-up, having played with Russell (Knox) who played very solid. I knew I had to go out and just try to shoot as good a score as I could to try to get myself in with a chance tomorrow.
"So to go out and shoot seven under, one bogey, six birdies and an eagle, I'm very pleased."
Patrick Reed is alongside Fisher at 13 under after rounds of 65-70-68 this week.
A double bogey on the sixth was the only blemish on his scorecard and the American was eager to put that behind him and set the final group on Sunday a tough target.
"I played the par fives great today," he said "I was four under on them.
"Unfortunately I had one mishap on one hole that cost me two shots, so I was pretty upset about that. But all in all, to be able to get closer to the lead, there's nothing more I can ask for.
"Hopefully tomorrow I can post a low one and have them try to catch me."
Thorbjørn Olesen bounced back from a disappointing 74 on Friday with a blemish free 66 to sit at 12 under.
The Dane credited his improvement to a minor swing change overnight and is now eager to kick on and challenge for a second title of the season after winning the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
"I'm not too far off," he said. "We'll see at the end of the day.
"I'm happy with my round, six under is a good score. We'll go out there tomorrow and hopefully I can get that same feeling and we'll see what happens."
Byeong-hun An had the finish of the day as he made eagles on the 16th and 18th holes to get to 11 under.
The BMW PGA Championship winner had recorded back-to-back bogeys on the 14th and 15th to slip back to level par but his remarkable end to his round made sure he registered a second consecutive 68.
And the South Korean felt he deserved a bit of good fortune after his earlier mishaps.
"I was unlucky all day," he said. "I hit the flag on number 14 and went back into the bunker, and I was like, 'okay, it's not my day'. And then I made a bogey on the following hole.
"But I got quite lucky on the next three holes. I hit a great drive and made an eagle.
"Next I hit it in the water but chipped it in for par. So, okay, everything is coming around.
"Last hole I pushed my three wood and I was like 'that's got to be in the water'. But I heard people cheering. I got away with the last shot and then made a good putt.
"But it was a really weird day. I'm happy to score."
