Samooja keeps leading Hainan European Challenge Tour

Posting a one-under par 71 in testing conditions on Saturday at Sanya Luhuitou Golf Club, Finnish golfer Kalle Samooja will take a two-shot lead into the final round of the 2018 Hainan Open European Challenge Tour.

"The front nine wasn't that windy but the wind really picked up on that back nine," Samooja said after the game. "It was tough and I thought I played the back nine pretty well."

The 30-year-old admitted to being pleased with his day's work and is happy with his two-shot cushion ahead of the final 18 holes.

"You just had to take it shot by shot and hole those putts. You had to hit the long putts close and move on and I think that's what I did."

Samooja will begin his quest for his maiden European Challenge Tour title the next day.

"The key to do well tomorrow is to remain calm and keep doing what I'm doing - morning gym session and then get ready for my round," the Finn said.

Following him are Scotland's Grant Forrest and Niklas Lemke of Sweden, who sat on 12-under par and 11-under par respectively.

Being held in the southern China's costal city of Sanya with an entry of 126 players from 32 countries and regions and a total prize of about 350,000 US dollars, the 2018 Hainan Open European Challenge Tour will conclude on Sunday.