Australian golfer Brett Rumford remained the man to beat midway through the final round of the China Open on Sunday.

Rumford, chasing back-to-back European Tour titles after winning the Ballantine’s Championship in Korea last week, began the day with a one-shot lead over playing partner Mikko Ilonen of Finland.

And the 35-year-old from Perth extended that to a three-shot cushion on 15 under par with a flawless front nine of 33 at Binhai Lake Golf Club.

Rumford birdied the second, fifth and sixth before saving par on the ninth with a brilliant long-range bunker shot, meaning he has recorded just two bogeys in 63 holes so far.

Ilonen, seeking a first win since 2007, also birdied the par-five second but could only par the other eight holes to lie 12 under.

France’s Victor Dubuisson was a shot further back on 11 under after four birdies in his first 10 holes.