EUROPEAN

• McGrane moves three clear at China Open

  
  

  Beijing, China (Sports Network) - Ireland's Damien McGrane notched his third straight sub-70 round Saturday to move three strokes clear of the field after 54 holes of the China Open.

  McGrane posted a four-under 68 in the third round to climb to 11-under-par 205. He took the 54-hole lead for the second time in his European Tour career and will go for his first tour title on Sunday.

  First- and second-round leader Michael Lorenzo-Vera managed an even-par 72. He slipped into a share of second at minus-eight. He stands alongside Oliver Wilson, who shot 70 while playing in the penultimate group with McGrane.

  Scott Strange is alone in fourth at six-under-par 210 after firing a six-under 66, the low round of the day Saturday. Mark Brown is one shot further back at minus-five after carding a 69 on Saturday.

  McGrane started the round one stroke behind Lorenzo-Vera. However, three straight birdies from the third gave McGrane a two-shot lead at 10-under.

  The Irishman tripped to a bogey on the sixth and dropped another shot on seven. That left him tied for the lead with Wilson at eight-under.

  McGrane reclaimed the top spot on the leaderboard with a birdie on the 10th. He made it two straight with a birdie on 11. That gave him a two-shot cushion.

  Wilson moved back within one as he birdied the 12th, but he faltered to a bogey on 13 at Beijing CBD International Golf Club to slip two back.

  McGrane's lead was again one when he bogeyed the 16th. He closed the round in style though as he birdied the final two holes to push his lead to three.

  "You know I played well again today. I've played the same golf for the last three days to be honest," said McGrane, who finished second at the Indian Masters earlier this year. "Obviously I had a nice finish. Birdieing the last two holes was sweet. I'm looking for a good day again (Sunday)."

  Wilson had three birdies and a bogey in his first five holes to get to minus- eight. He parred six straight from the sixth.

  After his birdie on 12 and bogey 13, Wilson bogeyed the 16th. He recovered that lost stroke with a birdie at the last to finish three back.

  "It was a good score. I was up there all day and I hit some fantastic shots, some of the best shots I've ever hit I think," Wilson stated. "I hit some really good irons shots close and that gave me a lot of confidence."

  Lorenzo-Vera parred 10 of his first 11 holes to go with a bogey on the second. He collected back-to-back birdies from the 12th to move to minus-nine and within one of the lead. The Frenchman bogeyed 14, then parred out to share second.

  "I didn't play my best golf, but I am happy that I shot par and am still in contention," said Lorenzo-Vera.

  Defending champion Markus Brier shot 72 Saturday and is tied for sixth place at four-under-par 212. He was joined there by Fabrizio Zanotti (70) and Jason Knutzon (72).

  Graeme McDowell, Simon Griffiths, David Bransdon, Richard Finch and Airil Rizman share ninth place at minus-three.

  04/19 06:09:07 ET