Rising Englishman Oliver Wilson upstaged golf's big guns with a 69 in blustery conditions to take a one-shot lead at 12 under after three rounds of the rain-delayed HSBC Champions here on Sunday.
Australian 2006 US Open winner Geoff Ogilvy was in outright second after carding a two-under 70, with the top-line trio of American Phil Mickelson, Spain's Sergio Garcia and Sweden's Henrik Stenson at 10 under.
On a cold, windy day at the Sheshan International Golf Club, talented young South African Charl Schwartzel shot the lowest score of the round, a 67 that put him tied for sixth alongside Australian Adam Scott at eight under.
After all of Friday was washed out, the players returned to the course on Sunday to start their fourth rounds, with Wilson, Ogilvy and Mickelson all maintaining their scores after two holes.
Playing in the group ahead of them, Garcia also remained at 10 under but Stenson had a double bogey in fading light on the third hole after a birdie on the first to fall back to nine under.
The players will resume their rounds just after dawn on Monday. Wilson, 28, who has finished runner-up seven times on the European Tour but never won a title, said he did not feel nervous as he prepared for what could be the biggest moment of his young career. "I've always enjoyed playing with the top players and it is something that you want to do," the Ryder Cup star said after he played the first two holes with Mickelson and Ogilvy.
"I am happy and feeling comfortable... my game's in good shape. I'd love to win this. I felt good all week, before I even teed off, I thought this could be the one."
Meanwhile, defending champion Mickelson and Garcia are waging a tantalising battle for the world's number two ranking. With two victories this year, Garcia has surged to a career high number three in the world and has said repeatedly this week he wants to climb one notch higher with victory in Shanghai.
Garcia and Stenson, the world number 12, were the overnight leaders in the five-million-dollar tournament at 10 under, but both failed to fire in the wind with matching even par 72s.