Saturday May 21, 2011, 03:30 PM

Big-hitting Australian Kurt Barnes holed six birdies on Saturday to take a one shot lead over South Korea's Kim Kyung-Tae heading into the final round of the SK Telecom Open.

Barnes, 26, dropped just one shot in a five-under-par 67 third round at Pinx Golf Club to move to 14 under overall after blitzing a course record equalling eight-under-par 64 on Friday.

After winning the GS Caltex Maekyung Open earlier this month to move up to second place on the OneAsia tour Order of Merit, Kim carded a 66 to lie one behind the leader and three clear of compatriot Park Sang-Hyun.

Barnes, who was a doubt to even start this week after a shoulder problem, said he was looking forward to the final day.

"I feel really excited. It has been a while since I have been in a position like this and I am really looking forward to the challenge," he said.

"I played really solid. I had a couple of miss hits, but that is expected and I am really happy with my score. I will do my best to try and stay in front and try and make the guys run me down."

Playing partners Park, Barnes and Kim were all tied at 12 under at the turn, four clear of the chasing pack, before the Australian made a 20-foot birdie putt to edge clear with five to play.

Kim responded a hole later to draw level, but Barnes posted his sixth and final birdie of the day with two holes to play to edge ahead.

Kim had a chance to draw level but the 24-year-old missed a long distance birdie chance and was forced to settle for second place.

"I had a great round again, all my shots felt great," he said.

"Again on the front nine I was able to make a lot of birdies just like in the first two rounds and I am happy that I was also able to maintain my score on the back nine and capitalise on the opportunities I had."

A second round 65 had given Park a one shot overnight lead, but the 2009 champion conceded three late bogeys to slip four shots off the pace.

© 2011 AFP/sid