New Zealand’s Mathew Perry is tied for the lead heading into
the final round of the Ping An Private Bank Wanda Open.

Perry was masterful early in the day, recording six
consecutive birdies to begin his round into a 4- under 68 to get to 7-under.

The New Zealander has been in this position before, holding
the solo lead at the 2014 Earls Beijing Open, a tournament where he went on to
finish second—still his career-best performance.

However, the 29-year-old from Hamilton is coming off a
disappointing 2015 season where he lost his playing privileges after finishing
52nd on the Order of Merit. The top-50 were exempt into 2016.

After reclaiming membership at the Global Qualifying
Tournament in January, Perry has slowly watched his game come together, this
week easily his best tournament of the season and his first six holes the best
start any player has had in 2016.

"I hit a really good swing off the first tee, and for an hour
and a half after that it seemed like I couldn’t do anything wrong," said Perry.

"My birdies came from really precise play, hitting my
approach shots into the right regions of the green, making the putts a lot
easier."

Perry two-putted for birdie on the par-5 5th hole, and his
other five birdies during his opening streak came from, in order, three feet,
six feet, five feet, three feet and 35 feet.

"Even the times I made bogeys and pars, I still hit some
good shots. Sometimes the ball goes in and sometimes it doesn’t," added Perry.

"On the back nine, I haven’t scored well for the three days.
I think I’m 4-over. I just need to tighten up a few things and lay back a
little bit at times and attack at other times."

Aussies David McKenzie, a two-time PGA TOUR China winner,
and James Gibellini are tied for third, a stroke back, while Australian Jack
Munro is two back in fourth.

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