Korean invitee K.J. Choi will take a one-stroke lead into the final round of theGerman Masters as he seeks victory on his first visit to continental Europe.
An eight-under-par third-round 64 hauled him to 21-under-par 195 today, leaving the 33-year-old a stroke ahead of Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez, who posted a 67.
Choi made up a three-stroke overnight deficit to Britain's second-round leader Ian Poulter, running up seven birdies and an eagle to hold off former Ryder Cup man Jimenez, despite bogeying the last.
Poulter, seeking his third win of the year, stayed in command with three early birdies but then hit a poor patch to slip to a share of third place with Spain's Carlos Rodiles.
Choi, whose only other visits to Europe have been at four British Opens, praised his veteran English caddy Andy Prodger, who helped Nick Faldo win two major titles and was released by Colin Montgomerie in May.
"The course is very similar to English Turn where I won my first tournament last year on the U.S. Tour, the Compaq Classic in New Orleans," said Choi, whose round highlight came when he holed a bunker shot on the long 13th to get the eagle that earned him the lead.
"I was lucky to get Andy this week because he can rely on 25 years' experience on the European Tour," added Choi, whose initials stand for Kyoung Ju.
"He has given me a comfort zone because he has pinpointed just where to land the ball and where not to land it."
Prodger, 51, has been given a special dispensation to pull a trolley at the weekend because he is suffering balance problems and a painful bag-carrying left arm after falling off a ladder.
Darren Clarke fired his second 65 of the week to move into a share of eighth on 15 under, six shots adrift of Choi's lead. The Ulterman's card contained no leas than nine, birdies, an eagle at the third, four bogeys and just three regulation pars.
Paul McGinley is nest of the Irish on eight under after the Ryder Cup hero shot a 69, the same score as Graeme McDowell who is one shot further adrift on seven under.
