French rookie Martin Couvra leads SA's Wilco Nienaber at Turkish Airlines Open

The 22-year-old rookie started the day in a three-way tie at the top of the leaderboard but pulled clear of the chasing pack courtesy of a five-under 66 at Regnum Carya.

Couvra graduated from last season's HotelPlanner Tour and has impressed during his maiden campaign at this level, having already posted four top-ten finishes, including fifth at the Hainan Classic last time out.

At 11 under par, Couvra leads by two from South African Wilco Nienaber, with China's Li Haotong a shot further back in third.

"I'm really happy about my game today – it's always good to have a bogey-free round," said Couvra, who recorded a hat-trick of birdies from the seventh, with the highlight a tap-in at the ninth after a stunning approach.

"I just try to keep the same mindset on the golf course.

"My iron game was pretty good today and I made some putts at good moments.

"I'm going to have a good time tonight with some friends and some French players – we won't talk about golf tonight!"

South African Nienaber made seven birdies in his best-of-the-day 65, while Li matched him in his flawless six-under-par round on Friday.

"I think I just played as solid as yesterday but holed a lot of putts compared to yesterday," said four-time DP World Tour winner Li.

"The greens were rolling super pure this morning compared to yesterday afternoon, so creating a lot of chances.

"I think yesterday afternoon, the grass grew up a little bit, felt like my hair - sometimes it doesn't go where I want it to. But this morning I rolled some good putts.

"I think that the two weeks in China kind of hurt my confidence a little bit, and I took a week off, like, completely off.

"I wasn't too sure about my game until I found the last two days that I've played really good, and I'm looking forward for a big weekend ahead."

Overnight co-leaders Tiger Christensen and South African Robin Williams both signed for rounds of 70 to sit in a four-way tie for fourth with German Yannik Paul and England's Todd Clements.