Soomin Lee will take a three-shot lead into the final round of the Maybank Championship Malaysia after posting a seven-under-par 64 on Saturday.
Starting the day five shots off the overnight lead held by Nathan Holman, the 22-year-old South Korean mixed nine birdies with two bogeys in his third round to move to 15 under par.
Australia’s Marcus Fraser sits second after producing a bogey-free 66 on day three, while countryman Holman is a further shot back in third after carding a disappointing triple bogey at the last.
After covering the front nine in 33, Lee rattled off four straight birdies after the turn before picking up another shot at the 15th.
A bogey at the 16th followed, allowing Holman to close the gap, but a superb birdie at the 17th saw Lee extend his advantage.
Lee said: “It was very exciting. I had a good feeling this week because I like playing on this course. I hit many important iron shots today. I tried to putt close to the hole but it went in so I gained some confidence on the greens.
“I’m trying to enjoy my game and focus on my own game. If I keep my ball on the fairway then it will be good for me to try and score.”
Scotland's Stephen Gallacher enjoyed his best round of the week so far, firing five birdies on his way to a flawless 66.
The 2014 Ryder Cup winner is among the large group on nine under, alongside England’s Richard Bland, whose third-round 73 saw him fall down the leaderboard.
Gallacher was pleased with his display on Saturday. He said: “I knew I needed to push on at the start of the day, because I was a fair way back. So I’m very happy with that performance today, because I’ve brought myself into contention.”
