India's sole representative at the WGC-HSBC Champions Gaganjeet Bhullar, who was simply brilliant till the 15th hole on the second day, had a big struggle once again in the third round, as he carded a 75 and found himself languishing in the bottom half of the leaderboard with a share of 44th place.
Bhullar started well with two birdies on second and third, but then began his struggle. He bogeyed the fourth and ninth but had a birdie in between on eighth. He started the back nine with a triple bogey and also had a double bogey on 15th and another bogey on 17th.
The birdies on 14th and 16th were small in compensation in comparison. Dustin Johnson of the United States remained in the driver's seat despite carding two double-bogeys to sign for a third round six-under-par 66.
The American Ryder Cup star compiled a three-day total of 18-under-par 198 to take a three-shot lead over defending champion Ian Poulter of England who surged into contention with a 63.
Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell trailed Poulter by a single shot after a spectacular 64 saw him take third place. It was an enthralling battle for supremacy at the top with Johnson and Poulter going head-to-head at the Sheshan International Golf Club.
Poulter, looking to become only the second player after World Number One Tiger Woods to successfully defend a World Golf Championships title, had charged up the leaderboard with five birdies in a row from the third and another on the ninth hole.
