BMW Masters: Donaldson and Siem breathing down the neck of Levy.

Shanghai. Alexander Levy (France) put daylight between himself and the rest of the field in the third round of the BMW Masters in Shanghai today, but will be chased all the way to the line in the final round of the opening event of the European Tour’s Final Series.

After a virtually flawless round of 63 at Lake Malaren, Levy opened up a lead of four strokes over Ryder Cup hero Jamie Donaldson, of Wales, who had a superb 62, and five strokes over Germany’s Marcel Siem, who had a 65. Justin Rose, who followed a second round of 65 with one of 64, trails the leader by seven.

With the course softened by rain and offering chances to score low, the tournament is far from over. Levy knows that the slightest slip tomorrow could let in his nearest pursuers. Those trailing him need only to think back to Rory McIlroy’s victory at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth in May – when the current World No1 made up seven strokes on the final day to come through for victory – to remain upbeat for the final 18 holes.

Levy, who started the day one stroke behind Nicolas Colsaerts (Belgium), was fast out of the blocks. After birdies at five of the first seven holes, he reached the turn in 31 and came home in 32 for a staggering 22-under-par 54-hole total of 194. “I need to enjoy this moment and try to do the same job tomorrow,” he said.

Siem, who also got off to a fast start, had three birdies in his first three holes and maintained his momentum to the end. He reached the turn in 33 and took 32 on the inward half to keep himself firmly in contention.

He is delighted with his progress but not so pleased with a small bet he has with Levy in which the player with the highest score in each round has to pay the other €200. “I think I chose the wrong opponent there,” said Siem, who will play alongside the Frenchman in the final round. He lost €400 at the Portugal Masters and is €400 behind in Shanghai despite rounds of 68, 66 (tied) and 65.

Donaldson, who equalled the course record he set at Lake Malaren in 2012, played the shot of the day when he found the hole from around 130 metres for an eagle at the par-four 16th. “The eagle was a big bonus,” he said. “The conditions were perfect for scoring low, but you've still got to play your shots and sink the putts. I've got to do more of the same tomorrow.”

Rose, meanwhile, was simply bemused. “You feel as if you are doing all the right things and are not making any headway against the leader,” he said. “I've done my part, but I didn't bank on everyone else going as low as they have.”

Colsaerts struggled to find the form of his previous rounds and finished the day nine strokes off the lead after a lacklustre 73.