Wu Ashun produced a flawless front nine to open up a three shot lead on day three of the Volvo China Open.
The home hero entered Saturday with a two shot advantage and while those behind him jostled for position, the 2015 champion made two birdies to turn in 34 and move to 15 under at Genzon Golf Club.
American Sean Crocker was at 12 under, a shot clear of Spaniard Jorge Campillo and Finn Mikko Korhonen.
Wu made some alterations to his swing over the winter and this week represents a stunning return to form for a player who had achieved just one top 40 finish in eight events on the 2019 Race to Dubai.
The scoring was extremely good in the early stages, with playing partners Tirawat Kaewsiribandit and Miguel Tabuena both posting rounds of 65.
Yang Kuang made headlines on Friday as he became the second youngest player in European Tour history to make the cut and the 14 year old followed up rounds of 71-71 with a 69.
Once the leaders got under way, Wu picked up exactly where he left off, spinning his approach to the first to tap-in range to move three ahead.
Adilson da Silva became the third man to sign for a 65 as he set the clubhouse target at ten under but Gavin Green moved past him as he ccontinued a birdie blitz.
The 25-year-old had bogeyed the second but made six birdies in a row from the fifth and added another on the 12th before dropping five shots in six holes.
After four opening pars, Tapio Pulkkanen dropped a shot on the fourth and made a double bogey on the next to leave Wu four clear.
There were six players in second at ten under and Crocker broke out of that group with a long putt on the eighth, adding to birdies on the second and seventh.
Korhonen joined him as he added to birdies on the first, second and 11th with a long putt from the fringe on the 12th.
Wu did not look to be feeling any pressure, however, and he put his tee shot on the par three ninth to seven feet for a second birdie of the day and a four shot lead.
Campillo had holed a ten footer on the first before giving the shot back on the second after a poor tee shot, but a three foot putt on the par five ninth moved him to 11 under at the turn.
The 11th was proving gettable on day three and Crocker drove the green and got down in two to move into solo second.
Home hero Li Haotong was in the clubhouse at ten under after a 66, with Pulkkanen, Nacho Elvira, Jordan Smith and Erik van Rooyen all on course at that mark.
