India's Jyoti Randhawa is still Asia's top performer after the third round of the WGC-HSBC Champions on Saturday.

The 2002 Asian Tour number one, thanks to a two-under-par 70 leaving him in tied sixth place, will enter the final day at Sheshan International Golf Club six shots behind leader Phil Mickelson of the United States, with world number one Tiger Woods lying tied second alongside Nick Watney.

Chinese Taipei's Lin Wen-tang maintained his fine run in the US$7 million event with a battling 70 leaving him in tied eighth place while Thai star Thongchai Jaidee also shot a 70 for joint 12^th position.

Randhawa's good run in Shanghai has been a big relief for the Indian, who has battled indifferent form after winning the Singha Thailand Open on the Asian Tour in March.

"I've been struggling for the last few months and I guess it came at the right time. So any time you shoot under par on this golf course, it's good because you know, the way they tuck the pins, it's playing really tough and I'm very happy and very lucky to be where I am. Let's hope I can carry on," said the Indian.

He paid the price for tweaking his game after his Thailand triumph which left him battling hard to retain his card in Europe over the past few weeks.

"I was trying to change a few things and I went back to the way I want to play, so I'm lucky to be here. The thing is to stick with it and to be committed to it. So when it comes and you're not committed, it goes away. So luckily I've been focused and I've been trying to do that," he said.

Randhawa added that patience has been the key for his solid run in what is Asia's first World Golf Championships event. "It's not easy out there. Guys are trying to get aggressive, make a few bogeys and suddenly you're out of the tournament. So I just played consistent golf, stuck to what I needed to do and made some putts," he said.

Lin, Asia's number two last year, was disappointed to bogey his last hole for a 70. His approach into the par five green caught a gust of wind and ended up in a bunker.

"Two under, I'm happy as it was very windy out there. Everything was good except for the last hole," said Lin, who won the Mercuries Taiwan Masters in October.

He is hopeful that he can move up the leaderboard and ensure a nice payday. "There are still 18 holes to go. Maybe a small chance. Tomorrow, I'll go out there and try to do it. I've been lucky in the final rounds this year, so hopefully I can have another lucky round tomorrow."

Three birdies over his closing six holes saw Thongchai sign for a 70.

"I played really well. The pins were tough on the front nine where I was even par and on the back nine, I missed some holes but came back nicely with birdies on 16 and 17 and then missed a birdie on the last hole," said the current Asian Tour number one.

"It was windy which made it tough. This week is a strong field with all the good players which good for Asian golf. It's a big event and it's nice to see a few of us on the leaderboard," he said