• China Open, Round Three

Colsaerts snatches lead as Garcia falls back

Nicolas Colsaerts will hope to clinch his first European Tour title on Sunday © Getty Images

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• Profile: Nicolas Colsaerts | Sergio Garcia

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Nicolas Colsaerts birdied two of his final three holes to fire a third round 66 and take a one-shot lead into the final round of the China Open.

Colsaerts, a familar face on the European tour who has nonetheless never managed to claim a victory, opened the day with an eagle and never looked back - with a bogey on the par three fifth proving only a temporary speed-bump as he finished strongly.

A regulation birdie on the par five last allowed the Belgian, who seemed to lose his way about three years ago before rediscovering his touch with two wins on the Challenge Tour in 2009, to overhaul early clubhouse leader Chang-won Han, who went out in 31 on the way to a seven-under round of 65 that jumped right into contention at 17-under.

Gregory Havret and Peter Lawrie are both one shot further back at 16-under, after matching rounds of 68. Overnight leader Jamie Donaldson sits at 15-under, after failing to fully capitalise on Friday's blistering round of a 61 with a more subdued 70 that nonetheless leaves him in firm contention.

Englishman James Morrison will still hold out hopes of victory at 13-under, while New Zealand youngster Danny Lee will be hopeful of following in last week's winner Matteo Manassero's footsteps with a dominant final round to clinch victory.

Sergio Garcia did not enjoy similar fortunes, however, the Spaniard ably illustrating the impressive scoring going on around him as he dropped seven shots off the lead without losing a stroke against par.

The former world No. 2 never really got anything going all day, with two bogeys and two birdies - plus a trip to the water on the last that forced a scrambled par - ensuring he ultimately made no headway against the leaders with a level par 72.

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