McDowell's Lead Now One

Graeme McDowell is still in position for a wire-to-wire victory heading in the $8 million WGC-HSBC in Shanghai. But the 35-year-old Northern Irishman, who began the third round with a three-stroke edge over the elite field, saw his lead trimmed to one at Sheshan International Golf Club.

After opening with two straight 5-under 67s, McDowell carded a 71 to reach 11-under 205, a stroke ahead of Japan's Hiroshi Iwata (68) and two in front of Germany's Martin Kaymer (66) and American Bubba Watson (69).

Sharing fifth at 8-under are Rickie Fowler and Tim Clark, who each posted 69s, and just four back at 209 are Denmark's Thorbjorn Olesen (69) and England's Ian Poulter (72).

McDowell said he had a chat with himself after mulling over his round. "Let's be honest, I had a three-shot lead overnight and it's only one now, but I'll take this position any week that you offer it to me, a one-shot lead going into the last round, on a golf course that I enjoy; I'm looking forward to the opportunity tomorrow.

"I felt maybe a tiny bit negative coming in, but when I went back and thought through my round, it was difficult."

"I played reasonably solid today," added McDowell after carding three birdies and two bogeys. "I thought conditions were a little bit more difficult, colder, obviously a little bit of overnight rain made the golf course play a little bit longer.

"I was generally happy with the way I hit the golf ball. I didn't quite score as well as I did the last couple days but I gave myself some confidence from a ball-striking point of view that I can get the job done tomorrow."

Iwata, the 127th-ranked player in the world, is familiar with golf fans in the Far East, where he's been known for a quick temper. "I'm kind of relatively short-tempered, so I always focus not to get too angry at myself," the 33-year-old told the European Tour's website. "I believe I'm doing pretty good at that at the moment, so I just want to keep that going."

Asked further about his quick temper, Iwata added: "I'm pretty famous for that in Japan."

Watson is enjoying his time in Asia and pleased with his play. "This is fun to be able to come over and travel and play golf, see some of the great golf courses," said the long-hitting lefty and two-time Masters' champion. But also see some of the different cultures, obviously this is fun for us to come over and try it out and try to show our skills to the world.

"I think I just missed playing in the final group tomorrow, but obviously it was a good day and tomorrow I can hopefully improve."

Kaymer's 66 was the low round of the day. The reigning U.S. Open champion has had prior success at Sheshan International, where he holds the course record of 62 and closed with a 63 to win the tournament in 2011.

"Finally I could make some putts today, that was nice," said the 29-year-old. "The first two days I played really well but the putter was a little cold. Today I make a couple mid-distance putts, only one bogey so I think I put myself in a good position. Obviously you need a little help from Graeme in order to win, but I'm playing really well and that's all I can do."

The top-ranked player in the field, No. 2 Adam Scott, heads into the final round at 213 following a 71.

For all the scores, visit http://www.worldgolfchampionships.com/hsbc-champions/leaderboard.html.

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