Levy leads by 3 at China Open

Shenzhen, China (SportsNetwork.com) - Alexander Levy posted a 2-under 70 on Saturday and remained atop the leaderboard after three rounds of the China Open.

Levy, who will go for his first European Tour title on Sunday, finished 54 holes at 16-under-par 200.

Alvaro Quiros, who shared the first-round lead, carded his second straight 4- under 68. He is alone in second place at minus-13 at Genzon Golf Club.

Mikko Ilonen and Tommy Fleetwood both posted 5-under 67s in round three. Ilonen is alone in third at 12-under 204 and Fleetwood is one back at minus-11, where he was joined by Adrian Otaegui (71).

Simon Dyson, who shared the first-round lead with Quiros, shot 69 and is alone in sixth at 9-under 207.

World No. 3 Henrik Stenson posted a 1-under 71 and is tied for 21st at 4-under 212. Jason Dufner is one stroke behind Stenson after carding a 3-under 69 in round three.

Levy opened with his third birdie in three days at the par-5 second, and that pushed his lead to five. However, he gave that shot right back as he bogeyed the third.

After five pars in a row, Levy dropped in a birdie effort on the ninth to make the turn at 15-under par. The Frenchman poured in three consecutive birdie chances from the 11th to jump to 18-under.

Levy tripped to a bogey on the 14th and another on the 16th to slip back to minus-16. He parred the final two holes to end there.

"It was tough to stay focused, but I kept my mind in good condition and played some good shots. I'm happy with my round today. I'm going to play good golf and take some pleasure from the golf course, because it's a very nice course to play," Levy said. "I want to continue to play like I have for the first three rounds and to enjoy the moment. I will be nervous, but because you're nervous doesn't mean you can't play well."

Quiros birdied the fourth and ninth both for the second day in a row and made the turn at 11-under par.

The Spaniard birdied three of the first four holes around the turn, but he was still four back. He traded a bogey for a birdie from the 15th.

Quiros stumbled to another bogey at the 18th to end three behind as Levy also had a pair of late bogeys.

"It has been a tough day, especially with that finish. I have played well with a lot of heart and passion, but unfortunately I made three putts on the 15th, I didn't birdie 17 and then bogeyed the 18th from the middle of the fairway," Quiros stated. "I am three shots back going into the final round, but that is nothing in this game. The only thing that I can say is that I am trying with all that I have. Tomorrow, I have a chance and that is good to know."

NOTES: Levy had more bogeys (three) in the third round than he had in the previous two rounds combined (two) ... Defending champion Brett Rumford stumbled to a 2-over 74 and dropped into a tie for 55th at 1-over-par 217.