France's Alexander Levy continued his brilliant run of low scoring to take command of the BMW Masters in Shanghai on Saturday.
Levy, who shot rounds of 63 and 61 to win the rain-shortened Portugal Masters three weeks ago, began the third round of the tournament in China a shot behind overnight leader Nicolas Colsaerts, who finished second in Portugal despite an opening round of 60.
But with playing partner Colsaerts only able to card two birdies and one bogey on the front nine at Lake Malaren, Levy grabbed his opportunity to take over at the top of the leaderboard.
The 24 year old birdied the first three holes and picked up further shots on the sixth and seventh to reach the turn in 31, before almost holing his approach to the tenth to set up another birdie.
The tee on the par four 11th had been moved forward to encourage players to attempt to drive the green and although Levy was one of the few players not to take it on, his decision was vindicated when he played another brilliant wedge shot to two feet.
At 20 under par Levy led by five shots from Ryder Cup star Jamie Donaldson and Germany's Marcel Siem, with Colsaerts dropping back to 14 under with a bogey on the 11th after trying to drive the green.
Donaldson was matching Levy's scoring exploits, the Welshman covering the front nine in 32 and picking up further shots on the tenth, 11th and 13th.
