RP bets chasing Choo

Choo Tze Huang of Singapore, who soared to a five-over 77 Wednesday, played even worse yesterday, carding a fat 80 to open the race for the Class A plum in the sixth Samsung Philippine International Junior Golf Championship at Wack Wack’s east course.

Choo, who won the overall title last year while entered in Class B, practically shot himself on the foot with that 80, enabling three rivals, including two Filipinos, to get into the fight for the coveted championship.

Malaysia’s Anis Helmi fired a 75 to move within a shot of Choo at 229. Jenz Tecson, one of the country’s leading juniors, jumped from fifth to third following a 73 and a total of 231 while Allan Miñoza, nephew of the imminent Frankie Miñoza, scored a 76 to be at fourth at 232.

Two other Filipinos — Holen Juan Superal and his older sister Crystal – are in serious contention in their own divisions.

Holen Juan, son of touring pro Wendy and grandson of the late pro Wenceslao Superal, shot a 70 to go with his earlier 76 to keep the boys’ Class D lead with 146.

Crystal scored a 71 to stay in second place in the girls’ 12 and under division with 149, just three shots behind leader Suh Jae Hee of South Korea, who made a 72.

The Philippines shot into the top in the battle for team honors with Tecson scoring a 73 and J. R. Tanpinco backing him up with a 78.

Together with their first day 156, the Filipino duo will start in today’s final round at 307 with a four-stroke lead over South Korea and six up on Malaysia.

Seventy-six players from the Philippines, South Korea, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand are playing in the event Edgardo Cantada, the president of the Philippine Junior Golf Foundation, introduced in 1998.

Samsung is the title sponsor.

Other backers are Cebu Pacific, Wilson Sports, Morelia Travel and Tours Inc., Herma Group of Companies, Pagcor, Mitsubishi Motors, Bingo Bonanza, Toyota Otis, Pisanti Golf; Philippine Flour Mills, Rizal Rep. Gilberto Duavit, Takanobu Taira, Airlift Asia Inc., Raul Jorge, Sysu International, Absolute Distilled Water, Gatorade and EDSA Shangri-La.

Eun Jung Jung of South Korea carded an 83 and Jina Ko scored an 84 to continue to pace the girls’ 13-17 division with 160 and 162, respectively. To complete the Koreans’ domination, Lee Yeon Joo made an 83 to place third at 169.

In the boys’ Class C, Thailand’s Konlawat Krobteelanon shot a 79 to remain in first place with 158. Compatriot Thitikom Satissupramas scored an 85 to take second place with 165.