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Wilson leads going into final day
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Wilson leads going into final day

Oliver Wilson maintained his bid for a maiden career title and his one stroke lead over former US Open Championship winner Geoff Ogilvy as the HSBC Champions in Shanghai heads for a thrilling finish.

HSBC Champions - Day Four

The 28 year old Englishman carded a third round of 69 to move to the top of the leaderboard before playing two holes of his fourth round in level par to remain 12 under before bad light brought a halt to play.

Australian Ogilvy had followed up a second round 65 with a third round 70 in windy conditions and also played his two holes in level par after one bogey and one birdie.

Defending Champion Phil Mickelson, who completes the final group alongside Wilson and Ogilvy, is two off the lead on ten under alongside Sergio Garcia.

Mickelson looked to be heading for a bogey at the second after slicing his second shot at the short par five into the water, but teh American made a 15 foot putt for par.

The HSBC Champions at Sheshan International Golf Club marks the start to The Race to Dubai, but Henrik Stenson – who resides in Dubai - slipped back to nine under after four putting the third green in fading light moments after the hooter signalled the end of play.

Ryder Cup player Wilson is playing the event courtesy of his Order of Merit ranking after finishing runner-up four times in 2008, including losing a play-off to Miguel Angel Jiménez in the BMW PGA Championship.

After making a straightforward par at the first, Wilson saved par at the second after finding sand off the tee and the leading trio all have birdie chances on the third green waiting for them on Monday morning.

"It didn't do any harm playing the few holes, it was nice and steady," said Wilson.

"I hit one bad shot at the second which cost me a birdie, but I have a birdie chance at the third from ten to12 feet. I had the option to putt out. We had teed off and then they blew (the hooter) but we wanted to hit the shot in as the wind was calm and we were in the flow.

"But it was getting a little too dark to putt and I didn't want to miss it and be thinking about that overnight. I have something to get me going early on in the morning."

Ogilvy, winner of the US Open in 2006, said: "I've played very nicely this morning. I had a rough start last night as I bogeyed the first and got a par at the second, which felt like two bogeys, and it was a frustrating way to end yesterday.

"I finally made a birdie at the 11th, then had an up and down back nine but ended up having quite a few birdies with a couple of bogeys."

A win for World Number Three Garcia would see him overtake Mickelson in the Official World Golf Rankings.

Afterwards both Stenson and Garcia admitted the weather was making for tough conditions.

Stenson said: “It was a much more difficult day out there. It was cold in the morning and obviously the wind is swirling around, and it was fairly strong at times.”

Garcia – in great form after winning the CASTELLÓ MASTERS Costa Azahar on his home course last month - added: “I was in pretty good control. The course was not playing very easy. It was quite windy. It was cold.”

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