Sihwan Kim follows his tee shot at Le Vaudreuil Golf Challenge in France.

By CORRESPONDENT

Sihwan Kim took advantage of a window of fine weather to establish a five stroke advantage at Le Vaudreuil Golf Challenge before thunderstorms halted play for the day in France.

The Korean was in exemplary form on Saturday, carding birdies at the third and fourth holes, before an eagle two at the seventh saw him reach 19 under par through eight holes at Golf PGA France du Vaudreuil.

Kim was heading down the ninth hole when the threat of storms became too great, and just 25 minutes after the players were chaperoned from the course, a particularly violent storm came straight through the venue, producing strong winds and rain that left the course unplayable for the rest of the day.

Alone in second place, behind Kim, having just turned for home in the third round is Adrian Otaegui. The Spaniard posted four red figures and a single dropped shot en route to a score of three under on Saturday to move to 14 under par.

Meanwhile a shot further back in a tie for third is Edouard Espana, who is playing with Kim in the final group, alongside Duncan Stewart, Paul Maddy and Ben Evans.

Evans is currently in the midst of the lowest round of the day, after seven birdies in the third round saw him leap 29 places through 15 holes. An impressive display from the Englishman, considering that this is his first start of the season on the Challenge Tour.

Behind those in third is a whole host of talent, all at 12 under par, and including Jason Barnes, Johan Carlsson, Dylan Frittelli, Andrew Johnston, Chan Kim, Brinson Paolini and Lionel Weber in a tie for seventh.

Play will resume in the third round on Sunday morning from 8am, and there will be no redraw ahead of the final 18 holes as the field attempt to catch the charging Kim.