Kim Hyo-joo surged into contention at the LPGA Tour Honda Thailand (total purse $1.8 million) after a strong third round.
Kim carded a 7-under-par 65 with nine birdies and two bogeys at Siam Country Club Old Course (par 72) in Chonburi, Thailand, on Friday. Her three-day total of 18-under-par 198 placed her in solo second, two strokes behind leader Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand at 20-under.
Kim, who claimed her seventh LPGA Tour victory at the Ford Championship in March 2025, now has a prime opportunity to secure her eighth career win.
Kim's precise shot-making allowed her to steadily lower her score throughout the round. She hit every fairway and reached 83.33% of greens in regulation (15 of 18).
Starting the third round tied for eighth, six strokes off the lead, Kim made her first birdie at the par-3 fourth hole. She followed with consecutive birdies at the par-4 sixth and par-5 seventh holes.
Despite bogeys at the par-4 ninth and par-3 twelfth holes, Kim responded with birdies at the par-5 tenth and par-4 thirteenth to maintain her momentum.
Kim cut three more strokes down the stretch to finish near the top of the leaderboard.
Lee So-mi, who held the solo lead after the second round, failed to go under par and dropped to a tie for third at 17-under.
Korean-born Lydia Ko of New Zealand sits in solo sixth at 16-under, while Choi Hye-jin is solo tenth at 13-under.
Yoon Yi-na is tied for 46th at 4-under.