Holding the clubhouse lead overnight, Scott was two under over the front nine as birdies at the second, fourth and seventh were offset by a bogey five at the third.

However, the 30-year-old was unable to build on that platform coming home over the Serapong layout at Sentosa Golf Club, bogeying the 10th but recovering the shot at the 16th.

He missed a short birdie chance on the last following an excellent wedge approach at the par-five that could have opened a crucial two-shot cushion.

Poulter fired a blistering 63 yesterday and carried that form over into today’s third round, with a birdie at the second before eagling the fourth to quickly move to 13 under par.

That proved the end of the Englishman’s progress, however, as a birdie at the 10th was cancelled out with a dropped shot at the 14th and he did well to save par at the last after finding the bunker off the tee to end the day one behind playing partner Scott following a 68.

Kang, meanwhile, managed to overcome a double-bogey seven at the seventh to card an impressive 67 that contained eight birdies including one at the last after the Korean floated a beautiful wedge to within a few feet of the flag.

McDowell is alone in fourth place after signing for 68 featuring four birdies and just one bogey and the Northern Irishman is also well placed to cut into Martin Kaymer’s lead in the Race to Dubai standings with the German in a tie for 14th on seven under par.

Anders Hansen produced the round of the day – a 65 – as six birdies saw the Dane charge up the leaderboard into fifth on 11-under, while Jamie Donaldson is just four shots off the pace after the Welshman recorded a 68 to move to 10-under.

Phil Mickelson, meanwhile, endured a frustrating day, the American posting a four-over 75 to drop to two under par.