Angel Cabrera kept his cool on a sweltering third day at the Barclays Singapore Open today to open up a four-shot lead at Sentosa Golf Club.

While many of his challengers struggled in the hot and windy conditions at the Serapong Course, the Argentinian carded a one-under-par 70 to move to nine-under 204 in Asian Tour event.

Jin Park remained his closest challenger although the American dropped two shots on Cabrera after returning a one-over 72.

Lee Westwood is alone in third place on a four-under 209 after holing an eagle at the final hole for a level-par 71, while Vijay Singh and defending champion Adam Scott are on three under after rounds of 70 and 73 respectively.

World number two Phil Mickelson had a tough time on the warmest day so far at Sentosa.

The American dropped to two over after bogeying four of his first 12 holes but birdies at his final two holes of the day put him back at level par for the tournament.

Korean KJ Choi dropped to two over after making a pair of double bogeys in his round of 75 while Darren Clarke picked up four bogeys and a double bogey in his round of 76 as he fell to five over.

Cabrera threatened to pull away from the field early on, moving to 10 under after birdies at the fourth and seventh.

He cooled off on the back nine with bogeys at the 12th and 14th but put his eight-iron tee shot at the 17th to 25 feet and holed the birdie putt to finish the day on nine under.

"I played quite a good round," said the reigning US Open champion. "It was a working round because I had to work my way around. It was tough - the wind was picking up and the greens are getting very hard but I shot under par and I'm very happy.

"I'm feeling pretty confident. I'm hitting the ball well and I added another couple of shots to my advantage for tomorrow so I am very confident.

"I've got a good advantage so I'll just to play my game and try to finish it off."

Park had an up-and-down day with three birdies and four bogeys but the Asian Tour rookie was pleased that he was able to hold his game together despite feeling very nervous playing in the final group alongside Cabrera and world number six Scott.

"It is a great feeling to be lying in second place," said the 28-year-old from Phoenix. "I have never been so nervous for all 18 holes in my life. I was a nervous wreck.

"The whole round was a blur, I was really nervous but I managed to play well and held in there.

"One over overall is a good score and obviously I'm in good shape (for the final round).

"I've just got to keep to my gameplan. Angel can bomb the ball past me by 50 to 100 yards so I just have to keep playing the way I do."

Meanwhile, Westwood was counting his blessings after an eagle on the last hole to stay within five shots of Cabrera.

"Yeah, it was nice to finish with an eagle on the last after the triple on 16," said the Worksop pro. "I made a couple of great shots and rolled in a nice putt from seven feet.

"All in all, it was a decent day. I got off to a poor start with a couple of three putts in the first five holes but battled away which you have to do on this golf course as it's playing tough out there."

With the mercury creeping up to 33 degrees at Sentosa, Westwood felt that the work that he put in on his fitness this year had paid off.

"I haven't felt like it's been really warm last week (in Indonesia) or this week. I've not been feeling like how I normally feel - I'm normally drained - but I'm coming off the golf course really fresh which is really a bonus.

"It shows that the stuff that I'm doing in the gym is working."