Niall Kearney on cusp of top 20 in Munich after strong 66

Niall Kearney is 10 shots off the commanding lead held by Haotong Li at the BMW International Open ahead of Sunday's final round.

The Dubliner carded a strong third-round 66 to move up to 10 under and into an eight-way tie for 21st in Munich.

Kearney had just one bogey on hole three but seven birdies surpassed the six he managed in Friday's second round.

LEADERBOARD

At the top of the leaderboard, Li Haotong seized a three-shot lead with a fine 67 to head into the final round in full control.

The Chinese star has hogged the lead at the end of every round in Munich, with his 20-under-par score on Saturday leaving him three shots clear of Belgium's Thomas Pieters.

Li tied the course record with 62 in a remarkable opening round on Thursday, before carding 67 on Friday for a one-shot lead.

But Saturday's third round handed Li a bigger advantage over the rest of the field, thanks to the likes of a chip-in eagle at the sixth.

Pieters' eagle and four birdies ensured he would sit alone in second place, one shot clear of Jordan Smith.

Englishman Smith extended a consistent week with his second round of 67, to remain right in contention, just four shots off the lead.

Additional reporting: PA