Chan Shih-chang and Sihwan Kim step up on Asian Tour Phuket

The pair are 14 under par overall after both carding 68 and hitting five birdies on a sunny day's play.

Kim, who has been playing mostly in Europe this year and is looking for his first victory on the Asian Tour, said the warm conditions had required a bit of an adjustment.

"It feels kind of weird playing in this weather, being so humid and hot," he said.

"Tomorrow I just need to keep it in the fairway and make some putts. Being in the fairway is key on this golf course."

The $1 million tournament on the popular holiday island of Phuket marks the first Asian Tour tee-off since a 20-month pandemic disruption.

On Saturday the field was cut from 144 to 74.

Chan, ranked 1,366 in the world, is hoping for his first win on the Asian Tour in five years.

"Thailand is my lucky country," he said, referring to his King's Cup victory in 2016.

The 35-year-old held the outright lead for much of the back nine but made a bogey on the 16th ‒- his first dropped shot in 51 holes.

"I think that's a personal record for myself," he said.

After a stellar performance Friday, Thailand's Sadom Kaewkanjana stayed in contention with three birdies in the back half after a nervous start with a double bogey and a bogey.

The 23-year-old is third on the leaderboard.

"I didn't hit my driver good on the front nine today... Felt great to fight back to even-par. I still have a chance tomorrow," he said.

Sunday is the final day of play before the Laguna Phuket Championship next week.

Leading third-round scores on Saturday in the Asian Tour's par-72 Blue Canyon Phuket Championship:

202 - Chan Shih-chang (TPE) 66-68-68

202 - Sihwan Kim (USA) 68-66-68

204 - Sadom Kaewkanjana 68-64-72

205 - Scott Hend (AUS) 69-71-65, Joohyung Kim (KOR) 69-67-69, John Catlin (USA) 65-68-72

206 - Berry Henson (USA) 70-69-67, Taehoon Ok (KOR) 70-67-69