As Round 3 wrapped up at Shanghai’s Enhance Anting Golf Club, the battle for the Volvo China Open crown grew tighter. China’s Haotong Li and Spain’s Eugenio Chacarra are now co-leaders at 12-under-par, setting the stage for a thrilling final round on Sunday.

Li didn’t have the sharpest round, but a steady 69 was enough to maintain his share of the lead. Playing in front of an energized home crowd, the Chinese star knows what’s at stake. “Not my best today,” he admitted, “but there’s one more round – and I’ll need to bring my best.”

Despite a thumb injury that almost sidelined him, Chacarra pushed through pain and pressure to match Li with a gritty 69. The Spaniard showed real heart, refusing to let a swollen hand derail his momentum. “It was a grind,” he said. “I wasn’t even sure I’d finish the round.”

Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat shot the round of the day – a perfect 65 – to move to 11-under and just a shot behind the leaders. Full of confidence and calm, the big-swinging Bangkok native has inserted himself into contention quietly.

The leaderboard after the third round are as follows:

Haotong Li – 69, 63, 69 (-12)

Eugenio Chacarra – 65, 67, 69 (-12)

Kiradech Aphibarnrat – 69, 68, 65 (-11)

Yannik Paul – 68, 68, 67 (-10)

Zecheng Dou – 70, 65, 68 (-10)

Tapio Pulkkanen – 62, 70, 71 (-10)

With only two strokes between the leading six, Sunday is poised for a traditional finish. Can Li tap into the home crowd to win? Will Chacarra overcome the agony and hoist the trophy? Or will Kiradech ruin the party?

One last round. Anything to play for.