BRIAN Watts continued his remarkable birdie spree yesterday to stay on course for the biggest victory of his career in the Kent Hongkong Open.
Hitting the ball with authority and maintaining a smooth putting stroke, the 26-year-old American fired a three-under-par 68 in perfect conditions to add to his earlier scores of 63 and 69.
His 54-hole aggregate of 200 is three shots clear of experienced Canadian Ray Stewart going into today's final round in the US$250,000 event - the opening leg of the 1993 Asian Tour.
Although big-name stars Tom Watson, the defending champion, and Spain's Severiano Ballesteros both bettered par they appear too far back to make a charge for the US$41,650 first prize.
However, with 1985 Hongkong champion Mark Aebli of America and Remi Bouchard of Canada, both within striking range of the lead, Watts is expecting a testing final day over the 6,732-yard, par-71 Composite Course layout.
Said Watts: ''I've never been in this position in a big Open championship and I'm sure I'll be a little anxious going into the last round.