Kevin Stadler regains lead - Johnnie Walker Classic 2006

Korea 's K.J. Choi believes he can still lift the Johnnie Walker Classic after watching American Kevin Stadler soar into a two-shot third round lead with a sensational eagle at his last hole on Saturday.

The 36-year-old Stadler finished his day on a high note, snaring a three at the par five 18th en route to a six-under-par 66 and a three-day total of 17-under-par 199 on a sweltering day at The Vines Resort and Country Club.

Choi, the overnight leader by two, slipped to joint second place with in-form Australian Richard Green after a mixed bag of 70 which included one eagle, four birdies, two bogeys and one double bogey. Green, third in Dubai last week, charged into contention with a 66.

Asia 's other challengers in the US$2.3 million event tri-sanctioned by the Asian, European and Australasian Tours produced some fine displays. Deaf-born Korean Lee Sung-man fired a blistering 64 to move up to 10-under for the tournament, matched by India 's Shiv Kapur , who fired a 67.

Choi, who played alongside Stadler , got out from the blocks with a birdie on his first hole and an eagle on the third before his troubles started to unfold. He dropped his first shot of the day on the fourth and then ran up a double bogey six on the eighth after the misfortunate of having a plugged ball in the greenside trap.

A birdie on 18 lifted Choi's spirits as he attempts to become Asia 's first winner of the Johnnie Walker Classic, which was inaugurated in 1990. "Today was a very bad day. The pins were tough and the greens were also getting quick.

"I double bogeyed eight but the bogey on 10 was the turning point. I hit a good second shot but my third went 10 yards left into the water. After that it was very slow. Tomorrow I still have a good chance to win. It's okay," said Choi, a three-time winner on the US PGA Tour.

The 26-year-old Stadler , the son of famous golfer Craig Stadler � the 1982 Masters winner, could well hit instant fame if he holds on to victory on Sunday at The Vines and join the list of illustrious winners that include Greg Norman, Tiger Woods, Nick Faldo and Ernie Els .

He turned in 32 with four birdies on the front nine and after a booming drive down 18, he drilled a six-iron to 12 feet for his eagle, and a well-earned two-shot cushion. "It's right where you want to be after three days. It should be fun tomorrow," said Stadler .

"I've been driving it pretty well, keeping it in play and holing the putts that I need to. I have to think that I have to shoot four or five under, something like that tomorrow."

The left-handed Green, who is now 33-under-par in his last seven rounds, put himself in prime position to make up for last week's heartbreaking loss in the Dubai Desert Classic where he led by one into the 72nd hole only to bogey the last. Green lost by one shot to Tiger Woods, who pipped Els in a play-off.

The local hero was as hot as the stifling weather, staying bogey free with his crisp iron play and shooting six birdies on the card, including three of the par fives. "You know, I wanted to get myself back into a position where I could use what I've learned out of last week," said Green. "I really felt I should have won (in Dubai ) and let a couple of little things get in and it cost me.

"I changed golf ball at the start of last week and it has all clicked into place. It's been continuing pretty nicely and I feel really good mentally and very confident and stable, which is just how I want to be," said Green.

The smooth-swinging Lee, tied 17th, enjoyed a birdie binge as he cruised into position for a good finish on Sunday while Kapur continued to show the kind of form that has impressed former Masters winner Fred Couples.

The Indian birdied his closing three holes and will enter the final round seven shots off the lead and in sight of a good payday. "It's good to string three good rounds but I'm still not making enough putts out there. I'm hitting lots of good iron shots but not converting those 10, 15 foot chances. Left a few out there," said Kapur , last year's Volvo Masters of Asia winner.

As he continues his learning curve, Kapur was particularly delighted with his finish after coming off a bogey on 15. "I wasn't happy to bogey 15, I mishit my drive into the trap but I wasn't too down. I knew that I was hitting it good and then I got three birdies in a row. I'm feeling good about my game, not just this week but for the next few weeks as well as there are some good events coming up," said the 23-year-old Kapur .

Australia 's Gavin Flint and Nick O'Hern and Italian Francesco Molinari will enter the last day in tied fourth place on 202, three behind the leader while veterans Craig Parry of Australia and Couples are a further stroke back on 203. England 's Paul Casey is lurking five shots back after a 67 while title holder Adam Scott of Australia slipped six back off the pace after carding a 70.