Pattaya: American Sihwan Kim got on the birdie bullet train once again yesterday at the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Stableford Challenge to take the third-round lead on 42 points at Siam Country Club.
Overnight leader Chanettee Wannasaen of Thailand, her compatriot Natipong Srithong and Maja Stark from Sweden were second with 34 points, while local star Budsabakorn Sukapan was fifth with 33.
The innovative new US$750,000 tournament is being jointly sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Ladies European Tour (LET).
Current Asian Tour No.1 Kim carded an 11-under-par 61 -- a remarkable round which was redemption for a very disappointing second-round 76, that had followed his stunning 62 which saw him take the first-round lead.
Kim, who won the International Series Thailand last month, destroyed the course yesterday with an astonishing 11 birdies for 22 points.
"I must be bipolar or something!" said the 33-year-old US star, who struggled on Thursday with six bogeys and two birdies.
"I just felt a little tired yesterday [Thursday], but I got a really good sleep. My putting has just been on fire, I just kept it in play and putted the lights out.
"I haven't had a 10 under and 11 under in the same event before -- it's all about putting."
Chanettee eagled the par-five 18th to register five points and leap up the leaderboard at the very end after a tough day on the course which saw her shoot a 71.
"Today my game plan wasn't as good because my approach shots weren't perfect like in the second round, but the eagle on the last hole was good because it was a long putt and I made it," she said.
Natipong fired a 69 to give himself a chance of winning his second Asian Tour title.
Rising star Stark, who won two LET titles in her rookie season last year, impressed again, finishing strongly by making birdies on 17 and 18 for a 67.
"I feel the heat -- it is hot. I do like it when it is hot, but this is in the extreme," said the 22-year-old.