Playing Abraham Lincoln, heads for China (3)
I believe the answer is:
pal
'china' is the definition.
(I've seen this in other clues)
'playing abraham lincoln heads' is the wordplay.
'heads' indicates taking the first letters.
The initial letters of 'playing abraham lincoln' is 'PAL'.
'for' is the link.
(Other definitions for pal that I've seen before include "China" , "Buddy, chum" , "Bud" , "Mate, informal friend" , "Mate, buddy" .)