Kim and Garcia were able to share a joke before the start of play

Sergio Garcia has the chance to gain a measure of revenge for his Ryder Cup misery after outplaying Anthony Kim to take the lead at the Tour Championship.

Garcia carded a third-round 67 to move into a three-shot lead ahead of US Ryder Cup stars Kim and Phil Mickelson.

Kim thrashed Garcia 5&4 at Valhalla, but it was a different story in Atlanta as the overnight leader stumbled to a two-over round of 72.

Camilo Villegas is another two shots back on a high-quality leaderboard.

Garcia's collapse in the final day singles was one of the defining features of Europe's Ryder Cup defeat last week, but the Spaniard has given himself the opportunity to put the memory behind him.

The two were tied for the lead going down the back nine at the East Lake Golf Club, but Garcia made birdies at the 15th and 17th while Kim - who injured a spectator with an errant drive at the 9th - had two bogies.

"AK (Kim) wasn't on his 'A' game today," said Garcia, who is seeking his eighth PGA Tour title.

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"I managed to make a couple of birdies here and there and played a solid round."

Mickelson went round in 69 to put himself in contention, while Ben Curtis, Robert Allenby, KJ Choi, Mike Weir, Ernie Els and Jim Furyk are all within striking difference.

Garcia's round was the equal best of the day, together with Allenby and Kenny Perry, while two more US Ryder Cup heroes in Curtis and Hunter Mahan had rounds of 68.