Bernd Wiesberger is thrilled at the prospect of challenging for his first DP World Tour title in five years at the 2026 Volvo China Open.
The Austrian has eight DP World Tour titles to his name, but has not been in the winner's enclosure at this level since claiming the Made in HimmerLand presented by FREJA in March 2021.
He had been decent form before a recent break, securing top 15 finishes at the Investec South African Open Championship and Joberg Open last month and carried that over to Shanghai.
Wiesberger held the overnight lead with South African Shaun Norris and briefly held a three-shot lead after great start on his front nine.
However, Adrian Otaegui's stunning 62 set the clubhouse target of 16 under, a mark that Wiesberger was on until he three-putted at the 15th to slip one back following a third-round 68.
"I started really well," Wiesberger said. "I was good in control of my game. Slowed down a little bit on the back nine, there were a couple of tricky pins and some you wouldn't really fancy going too aggressive on.
"But all in all, I play alright. I kept the bad stuff, mostly off the course, and I putted nice, so it was quite some day."
On his back nine, where he mustered just one birdie and a bogey, Wiesberger added: "I had a couple of not great numbers, and obviously, I could have been a bit more aggressive, maybe, into 15. But it's not really a flag I would want to hit, it can bring six into play really quick.
"Three putting that - I wasn't quite happy with that - but all in all, it was a little bit of combination of tricky pins, not quite good numbers for me out there in the back nine, and then trying to get a solid, solid run in and keep myself in contention without dropping shots unnecessarily.
"It's gonna be fun day tomorrow. Adrian is a great player and obviously had a good day today.
"I'm playing well, so I'm looking forward to get out there again tomorrow. Hopefully start as good as I did today and leave it all out there."
