Pattaya: Kiradech Aphibarnrat birdied the last hole to pull three shots clear of the field after the third round of the Thongchai Jaidee Foundation yesterday.
Starting the day a shot back, Kiradech fired an eagle and six birdies against a double-bogey and two bogeys for a four-under-par 68 to regain the top spot with a total of 12-under 204 at the four-million-baht (approximately US$120,000) Asian Development Tour (ADT) event.
World No.60 Kiradech also put himself in prime position to win the tournament for the second time since 2015 at the Siam Country Club's Waterside course.
With nine world ranking points handed to the winner this week, a victory will help Kiradech edge closer to breaking into the world's top-50 at the end of the season and earn his second appearance at The Masters in 2018.
"My putting was very good today. But overall, it wasn't my 'A' game. I hope to play better tomorrow and win the title again," said the 28-year-old Kiradech, who was crowned the Asian Tour Order of Merit champion in 2013.
Overnight leader Pannakorn Uthaipas, placed second on the current money list, battled to a 72 to sit in second place. American John Catlin and Oscar Zetterwall of Sweden carded matching rounds of 70s to stay four shots off the pace in third.
Kiradech's highlight of the day came on the par-five ninth hole where he sank a seven-feet eagle putt after hitting his second shot with a 6-iron, 230 yards downwind. The burly Thai had held lead on the opening day with a course record 65.
"It was fun playing with Pannakorn. I had a slow start but the birdies on the fourth and fifth holes gave me a lot of confidence heading into the round. I hit good wedge shots to within two feet to make birdies there," he added.
Two-time Asian Tour winner Prom Meesawat returned with a 71 to share fifth place on 210 with American Maeng Seung-Jae, who signed for a 72.
With the Thongchai Jaidee Foundation being the penultimate event of the 2017 ADT season, players will have everything to play for as they continue to battle for the ADT Order of Merit crown as well as the five Asian Tour cards on offer for the 2018 season.
The leading five players on the final ADT Order of Merit at the end of the season will earn playing rights on the region's premier Tour for 2018.