Shubhankar best Indian at T-12, moves close to Order of Merit

Shubhankar Sharma carded an improved three-under 67 to emerge as the best-placed Indian at Tied-12th after the third round of the HONMA Hong Kong Open here on Saturday.

Sharma (69, 68) took his three day total to six-under 204 at the Hong Kong Golf Club.

England's Aaron Rai, whose mother is of Kenyan origin, extended his overnight advantage from four to six shots by signing for a third round two-under-par 68.

The 23-year-old traded four birdies against two bogeys to compile a three-day total of 16-under-par 194, a score which comfortably kept his compatriots Tommy Fleetwood and Matthew Fitzpatrick at bay.

Sharma had five birdies, three of them in a row from 11th to 13th and he also had two bogeys during the day.

With Korea's Sanghyun Park making his early exit from the tournament, Sharma could extend his merit lead when he returned with a 67 to share 12th place while close rival, Justin Harding of South Africa fired a 67 for tied-20th place.

The next best Indian is veteran Arjun Atwal