Wilson, who led on 10 under par heading into the third day, was on course to join Sterne as the joint overnight leader but a bogey at the 17th, after making the turn in a three-under-par 33, ruined his perfect round.

The 26-year-old, who was a member of the victorious Great Britain and Ireland Walker Cup team in 2003 and lost to Paul Casey in a play-off at the 2006 Volvo China Open, finished joint 31st at last month's Dubai Dessert Classic.

"Since towards the end of last year, probably August, I've been playing really good, I've just not been putting well, and that's been the difference. I started the year very well, solidly in the middle of the pack every week, " said Wilson.

"But I've managed to put a bit more work in on my short game and I've started to forget about my swing now which is really paying off.

"I holed a few more putts and that's the difference from being middle of the pack to where I am right now.

Sterne carded a bogey-free 64 for the second successive round, while big-hitting Anton Haig, who played with Wilson in the final group, is a further shot back after also dropping a shot at the 221yard penultimate hole.

"I got off to a really good start, really solid but not striking the ball that great.

But I just kept trying to do the right things and get the right mindset over every shot, and I managed to make a few birdies, " added Wilson.

"But I really struggled concentrating on the back nine.

I hit some good shots, but I was really struggling to keep my concentration. That's why it's a shame on 17, I just couldn't see a shot."

World number eight Retief Goosen sits alone on eight under after a disappointing 72 following back-to back rounds of 68, with Colin Montgomerie and Graeme Storm a further shot adrift.

Goosen struggled for consistency throughout his round and bogeyed the last to finish on level par for the day despite collecting six birdies on his way around the picturesque Blue Canyon Country Club course.

"I didn't play well enough, simple as that, " said a downbeat Goosen. "I started off good and then suddenly it went a bit pear-shaped.

"I'm five shots off the lead, I think the tournament is pretty much gone for me. I will just try to play well tomorrow and see where we finish."

Montgomerie shot 70, which ended with two successive birdies but was spoiled by a double bogey at the par-four 16th.

England's Simon Hurd leapt up the leaderboard after a six under par round to join Ernie Els and Scotland's Stephen Gallacher at six under.

Hurd was two under for the front nine, despite a bogey at the par-four eighth, before four birdies on the way home saw the 31-year-old finish with a 66, while Gallacher, who plummeted down the leaderboard following a four-over second round, recovered and carded a 68.

"It was a nice round. I played well and putted good.

It came as quite a surprise, I played well in the first few weeks but in the last two weeks I've not scored very well, " said Hurd.

"I got on a roll early doors, made a good two at the second, which is a real tough flag, and that kick-started me from there. I played pretty solid after that and hit 15 greens."

After a hugely disappointing round of 76 on Friday, Graeme McDowell recovered somewhat yesterday by coming home in 70. However, his chances of challenging are over as he lies 10 shots off the lead.