The final round of the Link Hong Kong Open is set for a titanic battle tomorrow after American John Catlin and Anirban Lahiri from India, both former Asian Tour number ones and multiple tournament winners, Belgium star Thomas Pieters and Caleb Surratt, the United States golfer who is one of the hottest young players in the game, took the third-round lead.

They lead the US$2milion event on 14 under, after Catlin and Pieters shot five-under-par 65s, Lahiri a 66 and Surratt a 67.

Tomorrow’s drama will be added to by the fact that Hong Kong’s Matthew Cheung is just two shots back in a tie for fifth, along with Kalle Samooja from Finland. Cheung, bidding to become the first player from the territory to win the tournament, started the day in the lead and shot a 72, while Samooja fired a 63 – the best round of the day.

No local player has won the event in is 65-year history. Dominique Boulet, the Chairman of the Asian Tour and widely regarded as the voice of Asian golf thanks to his work with the Tour’s commentary team, finished fourth in 1996 – the best result by a Hong Kong golfer.

New Zealand’s Nick Voke came in with a 64 and is the next best placed player in seventh place, three behind the leaders.

Thailand’s Pavit Tangkamolprasert returned a 71 and is in a tie for 65^th place on two under.