SHANGHAI - China's No 1 Li Haotong and Spaniard Eugenio Chacarra remained tied atop the leaderboard for a second straight day after the third round of the Volvo China Open on Saturday, as each carded a two-under-par 69 to share a one-shot lead in Shanghai.

With both players at 12-under 201 at the $2.55 million tournament, a co-sponsored event between the DP World Tour and the China Tour, the two will play together again Sunday in the final group of the 30th national championship at Enhance Anting Golf Club.

Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat shot a six-under 65 to move up the leaderboard to sit in third place. Finland's Tapio Pulkkanen, who led or shared the lead over the first two rounds, shot even-par 71 to sit tied for fourth with China's Dou Zecheng (68) and German Yannik Paul (67), two shots off the pace.

England's Jordan Smith (67) was three shots back, one shot ahead of China's Wu Ashun (67) and Bai Zhengkai (67).

ALSO READ: McIlroy wins Masters playoff to complete career Grand Slam

Making three birdies over his first eight holes, Li, winner of the 2016 Volvo China Open, jumped into the lead at 13-under.

After making the turn at three-under 32, the Hunan native dropped his first shot of the day when he made a bogey-6 at the 568-yard 10th hole. He quickly rebounded with a birdie-3 at the next before dropping another shot on the 12th hole. From there, he played par golf back to the clubhouse.

"It's kind of a strange day. I felt like everything's going my way until No 10. Went into the wrong spot and still tried to be cute and ends up I lost some momentum a little bit. Just need to play better tomorrow," said Li, a winner in Qatar in February.

READ MORE: Rose storms into Masters lead, McIlroy stumbles late

With a large gallery following his every move, Li said he enjoyed the support of the crowd.

"I know everyone is rooting for me, so hopefully I deliver something special tomorrow. If I play my best golf, no one else can catch me."

Chacarra was among those who did catch Li on a day when the lead changed hands several times. The Madrid native said his thumb, which he injured in the love grass on the 18th hole in the second round, was still sore. He played through his pain Saturday to card three birdies and one bogey at the 174-yard 12th hole.

READ MORE: Colombia's Echavarria wins light-hearted Masters Par-3 Contest

"It's with the driver where I have more pain. I drove the ball terribly, and it was a grind all day. I started not knowing if I was going to be able to finish, so I'm glad that I pushed through it to see if I could get a little better. It's way better than it was yesterday after the round," said Chacarra.

"This is (Li) Haotong's home course, and I experienced today what it's like to play with him. I need to play my best level tomorrow to have a chance to win."

Aphibarnrat, who has been winless on the DP World Tour since 2018, said he was happy with how he had played over the last few rounds, staying calm and patient. He carded six birdies Saturday in his bogey-free round to move into contention.

"I'm really enjoying my game so far. I just need to beat everyone on the course, that's the job I need to do. I haven't thought about when my last win was. I think about when my next one is coming. I don't think it's far away."