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Seoul - American Rickie Fowler took a commanding four-shot lead at the Kolon Korea Open after carding a course record-equalling eight-under-par 63 on Saturday.
The world number 36 produced a flawless performance at a sun-drenched Woo Jeong Hills Country Club to improve to 13-under-par overall and move within touching distance of a first career victory heading into the final round.
South Korea's YE Yang was in second place after a third-round 67, two shots clear of compatriot Kim Meen-Whee, who eagled the final hole to card an impressive 66 at the OneAsia event.
Joint overnight leaders Bronson La'Cassie of Australia and Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland slipped to joint fourth, 10 shots adrift of the lead.
"I had a good round and I can't complain with a 63," said 22-year-old Fowler.
"Going into the round I wanted to drive the ball well and make some putts, and I was able to do that and that puts me in a good position."
The 2010 US PGA Tour Rookie of the Year was five-under-par at the turn, adding three further gains on the way home, and ensuring a perfect round with a chip-in save at the par three 16th.
"I think I can win," he said. "I feel good about my game and I'm in a great position, which is right where I wanted to be coming into the week."
Yang, the world number 43, who has twice won the title, is not out of contention. He posted six birdies to the delight of an enthusiastic home crowd.
"Rickie and I had a good battle at the top of the leaderboard and I am satisfied with the round," said the 39-year-old 2009 PGA Championship winner.
After beginning the day in a five-way tie for the lead alongside Fowler and Yang, world number three McIlroy made an encouraging start with a pair of early birdies.
The 22-year-old dropped six shots in eight holes around the turn before finishing with back-to-back birdies to improve to three-under-par overall.
"I had a good finish, but it was not my best day," he said.
On the 12th hole McIlroy landed in the rough on his second shot and was taking a practice swing when he accidentally hit another ball he had not seen.
"At first the rules official said that I had played a wrong ball," he said. "I had no intention of hitting it, but I got it up and down with the other ball and thought I had made seven, but the rules official then said it was OK and I actually made five."
The world number 36 produced a flawless performance at a sun-drenched Woo Jeong Hills Country Club to improve to 13-under-par overall and move within touching distance of a first career victory heading into the final round.
South Korea's YE Yang was in second place after a third-round 67, two shots clear of compatriot Kim Meen-Whee, who eagled the final hole to card an impressive 66 at the OneAsia event.
Joint overnight leaders Bronson La'Cassie of Australia and Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland slipped to joint fourth, 10 shots adrift of the lead.
"I had a good round and I can't complain with a 63," said 22-year-old Fowler.
"Going into the round I wanted to drive the ball well and make some putts, and I was able to do that and that puts me in a good position."
The 2010 US PGA Tour Rookie of the Year was five-under-par at the turn, adding three further gains on the way home, and ensuring a perfect round with a chip-in save at the par three 16th.
"I think I can win," he said. "I feel good about my game and I'm in a great position, which is right where I wanted to be coming into the week."
Yang, the world number 43, who has twice won the title, is not out of contention. He posted six birdies to the delight of an enthusiastic home crowd.
"Rickie and I had a good battle at the top of the leaderboard and I am satisfied with the round," said the 39-year-old 2009 PGA Championship winner.
After beginning the day in a five-way tie for the lead alongside Fowler and Yang, world number three McIlroy made an encouraging start with a pair of early birdies.
The 22-year-old dropped six shots in eight holes around the turn before finishing with back-to-back birdies to improve to three-under-par overall.
"I had a good finish, but it was not my best day," he said.
On the 12th hole McIlroy landed in the rough on his second shot and was taking a practice swing when he accidentally hit another ball he had not seen.
"At first the rules official said that I had played a wrong ball," he said. "I had no intention of hitting it, but I got it up and down with the other ball and thought I had made seven, but the rules official then said it was OK and I actually made five."
Leading third-round scores from the OneAsia Kolon Korea Open on Saturday:
200 - Rickie Fowler (USA) 67-70-63.
204 - Ye Yang (KOR) 67-70-67.
206 - Kim Meen-Whee (KOR) 69-71-66.
210 - Bronson La'Cassie (AUS) 70-67-73, Rory McIlroy (NIR) 68-69-73.
211 - Noh Seung-yul (KOR) 72-69-70.
212 - Mo Joong-kyung (KOR) 71-66-75.
213 - Lee Kyoung-hoon (KOR) 74-71-68.
214 - David Oh (USA) 70-73-71, John Hih (USA) 69-73-72.
215 - Kim Seung-hyuk (KOR) 72-73-70, Hong Soon-sang (KOR) 68-73-74, Lee Soo-min (am, KOR) 68-73-74.
216 - Han Chang-won (KOR) 75-71-70, Kim Kyung-tae (KOR) 76-71-69, Andre Stolz (AUS) 76-71-69, Kang Kyung-nam (KOR) 75-72-69, Park Sang-hyun (KOR) 73-71-72, Terry Pilkadaris (AUS) 73-71-72
