Andrew Tschudin carded a three-under-par 69 to share fifth place at 11-under after the third round of the SK Telecom Open in Seoul, where he remains Australia's top performer in the OneAsia event.
Tschudin is nine shots behind big-hitting Kim Dae-hyun, who shot a 66 to move to 20-under and retain a three-shot lead over fellow Korean ‘young gun' Bae Sang-moon, who also shot 66.
Seven-time PGA Tour winner K.J. Choi, who turned 40 on Wednesday, posted a 67 to lie third on 13-under, one ahead of 23-year-old Kim Kyung-tae, who equalled the course record with a 64.
New Zealander Michael Hendry continued his impressive form with a 68 to move to a share of ninth place at nine-under, while 24-year-old Australian Scott Arnold is two behind after a second straight 68.
Tschudin shot five birdies and two bogeys as he continued to fly the flag for Australia in South Korea, where he has been playing much of his golf since 2008, when he won the SBS Lake Hills Open.
"I played solid. I didn't get into much trouble, so I'm happy with my game. I probably made only one bad shot, which was a missed short par putt on 17," said Tschudin, who has also won three times on the Hooters Tour."
"I guess I really needed to make more putts because the leaders are running away with it. They seem to playing a different game to me," he joked.
Hendry birdied three of the four par-fives and also picked up shots on par-fours at 10 and 15, before dropping his only shot of the day at 16. The Auckland-based 30-year-old is now hoping to improve on his 10th-place finish at February's Moonah Classic in Victoria.
"It could have been a lot better, as I missed a lot of short putts. However, I have a new driver this week that I got on Wednesday and it has given me a little extra distance, so I'm getting myself into good positions," Hendry said.
"I think my best result in a big event was a share of 10th at Moonah, so I'd like to improve on that result."
Arnold, the world's top amateur before turning pro last May, birdied four, five, seven and 11 on his way to a bogey-free round, but wasn't satisfied.
"I'm not really happy. I had too many missed opportunities and I should have had a heap more birdies. I hit it pretty well, but didn't putt well enough," said Arnold, who had 35 putts in his opening 73.
"I've started well the last two days, shooting three-under on the front nine both times, but I haven't really taken advantage. I need to post another 68 or better, but even if I can't win, I'd like to finish top five or top 10 and keep my run going."
Australians Brad Kennedy and Henry Epstein, both among five players to share the first-round lead with a 66, shot 71 and 72 respectively to share 17th place on six-under with the likes of PGA Tour star Kevin Na.
"I didn't play that much different and I was a little flat because of yesterday's round," said Kennedy, 35.
"It was a long day on Friday because of the fog delay and I felt it. However, under par is never bad. On this course, you need to make the most of the par-fives and I didn't do that. I need a good rest now and to get stuck into it tomorrow."