New Zealand's Michael Long and Australian Scott Laycock used their vast experience to take a share of the third round lead in the Nanshan China Masters on Saturday.
Long, the second round leader, carded a three-under-par 69 to move to 10 under for the tournament and was joined by Laycock, who fired a 68.
They lead by a shot from Australian Craig Hancock who hit a 66 at Nanshan International Golf Club's Danling Cuiyuan Course, where the $1 million OneAsia tournament is being held.
"We have been around a long time and I know Scott really well so it's nice to be in this position," said 42-year-old Long, who has cut back on his playing schedule and now works as marketing manager for a Perth signage company.
"There is no change in the game plan tomorrow. As we both know it is back to the routine of taking it shot by shot. There is no special formula."
Long, is one of his country's most successful golfers' who won the New Zealand Open in 1996 and the Greg Norman Invitational three years later.
He has also claimed two titles on the Nationwide Tour in the United States and represented New Zealand in the World Cup and Alfred Dunhill Cup.
"I had become a little bit tired of all the travelling and so I cut back on tournaments. I needed something to do at home to keep me busy so that is the main reason why I started work.
"This week is certainly an opportunity to reassess things but there are only so many Vijay Singh's or Jim Furyk's in the world," added the Kiwi, who carded a bogey free round with three birdies.
Laycock, who turns 40 this year, kicked off his year with a win at the Surf Coast Knockout in Australia, after beating compatriot Andrew Buckle in the final of the Match Play event.
A regular visitor to the region since the mid-90s he enjoyed a successful spell on the Japan Golf Tour winning the Bridgestone Open in 2002.
"I have hit some quality iron shots today but between the ninth and 16th I left myself birdie putts of over six metres which is too long. However, I dropped two birdie putts on 16 and 17 to make up for it," said Laycock.
He dropped a shot on the second but caught Long by making five birdies.
China's Wu Ashun and Zhang Xinjun, Pavit Tangkamolprasert from Thailand, Korean Kim Dae-hyun and Australians Andre Stolz, Mitchell Brown and Anthony Summers are tied for fourth place three shots off the lead.
Zhang, who started out life as a security guard at Xian International Golf Club, fired a brilliant 65 while playing partner Wu carded a 66 to give the home fans plenty to cheer about.
