HONG KONG -- Former Open champion Cameron Smith will go into Sunday's final round of the Hong Kong Open at 16-under par and in a share of the lead with Thailand's Phachara Khongwatmai after shooting a 5-under 65 at Fanling on Saturday.
The Australian trailed overnight leader Phachara by a shot before making six birdies around the composite course to pull level with 18 holes remaining.
The pair will be looking to join a winners list that includes former major champions Rory McIlroy, Greg Norman and Justin Rose when the tournament, being played for the first time in four years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, concludes Sunday.
In overcast and breezy conditions, Smith made a steady start to his day, picking up a single shot in his first seven holes.
Back-to-back birdies at Nos. 8 and 9 ignited his round, and he looked set to dominate.
Smith drained a 30-foot putt at the 15th to go into sole possession of the lead but dragged his tee shot on No. 16 into the trees. After only just managing to play his second out of the bushes, the Australian escaped with a bogey.
Phachara's birdie at the same hole saw the lead change hands between the playing partners, but Smith responded by rolling in a birdie putt from eight feet at the 17th to quickly make up for his error and pull level with Phachara.
Twelve players are within five shots of the lead duo, including former U.S. Open winner Graeme McDowell, with the Northern Irishman four shots back at 12 under.
