Hua Hin: Phachara Khongwatmai broke away from a packed leaderboard to take the third-round lead in the US$1.5 million International Series Thailand at the Black Mountain Golf Club yesterday.
The Thai star fired a nine-under-par 63 to lead on 20 under by three shots from countrymen Poosit Supupramai and Itthipat Buranayarat, American Sihwan Kim, India's Karandeep Kochhar and Mun Do-Yeob from South Korea.
Poosit matched the course record with a 62 while Itthipat and Kim fired 65s. Kochhar returned a 66 while Mun came in with a 68.
Overnight leader Ryo Hisatsune from Japan carded a 71 and is 15 under.
Phachara has only dropped one shot in three days and made nine birdies yesterday, including six on the back nine, with three on the trot from the 16th.
"I have been playing well for a while, so I felt like a good round was coming," said the 22-year-old, who also shot 63 on day one. "The course is possible to shoot low score, but you still have to play well."
The rising star won his first Asian Tour event at the end of last year at the Laguna Phuket Championship, after years of coming close, including six runner-up finishes.
He also won twice on the Asian Development Tour in 2015, while it was back in 2013 he triumphed in the Singha Hua Hin Open as a 14-year-old amateur.
He added: "Yes, Hua Hin has special meaning for me, as I turned professional after winning in 2013."
Poosit matched Sihwan's first round course record thanks to an eagle, nine birdies and just one bogey.
"I just made the cut yesterday, which was a good day for me. Today I said to my family that I would concentrate on an aggressive game, as usual, and I did it well. I had a great game today with a good combination of driving, iron shots and putting and also slam dunked an eagle. I got some luck, everything was perfect," said Poosit.
Earlier in the day Thailand's Ratchanon "TK" Chantananuwat, who celebrated his 15th birthday on Friday by finishing on the six under halfway cut, stormed through the field with a 63 to finish on 15 under.
"Fifteen yesterday and 15 under today. I think I will need at least 63 tomorrow to win," said Ratchanon.
"Tomorrow I am going to try and strike the ball like I did today and give myself a lot of opportunities again," he said.
The youngster added it was his lowest 18-hole score. "My previous lowest was an eight under on the All Thailand Golf Tour."