Narrow lead for Yang at Volvo China Open

The Korean looks in ominous form as he seeks to build on last week's eighth-place finish at the Masters and carded a bogey-free four-under-par 68 to top the leaderboard at 14-under-par after a see-saw third day at a blustery Jinji Lake International Golf Club.

Fast-starting Ilonen carded six birdies in his 68, while Donaldson dropped just one shot for a three under 69 to remain in the hunt for a maiden European Tour title after finishing sixth in Andalucia two weeks ago.

"It was bogey-free, but it was also tough to save par on a lot of occasions," said 38-year-old Yang. "Overall, it was difficult but I am very satisfied that I saved a lot of pars and it puts me in a good position on the leaderboard. "

A 71 for Peter Whiteford leaves him on four under, one ahead of Marc Warren (73) and Colin Montgomerie (72). The other three Scots all went round in 73 yesterday. Stephen Gallacher is two under, Alastair Forsyth is level par and David Drysdale is one over.

OWEN IN HUNT AT VERIZON HERITAGE

GREG Owen was relieved just to have made the cut despite moving into a share of the lead at the Verizon Heritage in South Carolina.

The Englishman shot four birdies and two bogeys in a two-under-par 69 at Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island to reach seven under for the tournament and secure a share of the halfway lead with Americans Jim Furyk and Charles Howell III.

After five missed cuts in eight starts on the PGA Tour this season, the Florida-based Owen said just getting to the weekend was cause for celebration, let alone being part of the final grouping.

"It's been a while since I played on a Saturday. I'm just trying to play well," Owen said. "I've been feeling great this week. It's nice to start playing well."