Anthony Kim watches his tee shot on the fifth hole. Kim fired a 6-under 66 in the Wachovia Championship on Saturday in Charlotte, N.C.

Charlotte, N.C. ? Quail Hollow Club’s tree-lined, old-style setup has produced an impressive list of winners, ranging from Vijay Singh to Jim Furyk to last year’s champion, Tiger Woods.

With Woods unable to defend his Wachovia Championship title following knee surgery, Anthony Kim moved a step away from joining that elite list – a month shy of his 23rd birthday.

The steady, focused and less flamboyant Kim shot a 6-under 66 on Saturday to take a four-shot lead over Jason Bohn and Heath Slocum after the third round.

While Kim still sports the signature belt buckle with his initials, the big hitter’s recent focus on his game left him at 13-under and as close as ever to his first PGA Tour win.

Kim passed Bohn, the second-round leader and playing partner, by sinking a 9-foot birdie putt on the ninth hole. Kim added another birdie at No. 14, then navigated through the course’s tough closing stretch with his best golf of the round.

After getting up and down for par on the 17th, Kim ripped a 324-yard drive on No. 18 before his second shot landed 7 feet from the cup. He made the putt and calmly walked off the course well ahead of one of the strongest non-major fields on the tour.

Bohn’s chip-in for par on the 18th gave him a 72 and a second-place tie with Slocum, who charged into contention by holing out for eagle on the 15th hole. Slocum shot a 68 and will be paired with Stewart Cink today. Cink was tied with Dudley Hart at 8 under. They’ll all chase Kim, who has quickly dismissed early talk of a sophomore slump.

After three missed cuts and no finish better than 30th in six tournaments, Kim decided he was “talking a little bit more than I was practicing.”