MANILA, Philippines - Filipino Jobim Carlos charged home with a two-under 70 to gain a share of the lead with Daniel Lin-Ding-Sheng of Taiwan halfway through the Philippine International Junior Golf Championships presented by PCSO at the Ayala Greenfield Golf and Leisure Club in Calamba, Laguna Thursday.
Counting his opening day 72, Carlos pooled a 142 as he caught up with Sheng, who turned in his second straight 71 in the premier boys’ 15-17 age group, four shots ahead of local bet Miguel Tabuena, who matched par 72 for a 146.
Gus Mata bounced back from an awful 77 with a two-under 70 but stood five shots off the joint leaders heading into the final two rounds of the tournament backed by Lucio “Bong” Tan Jr., Wallem Phils. Shipping, Inc., Toyota Balintawak, Toyota Otis, New Divisoria Mall, Rescue Derm, Atty. Gilberto Duavit, Ruben Reyes, Puyat Steel and Apo Galfan.
Kenneth Kano, who shared the lead with Sheng in the first round, shot himself in the foot with a 79 after a 71 as he tumbled down with a 150, eight strokes adrift.
Malcolm Kunjin of Sarawak struggled with a 75 after a 70 but remained in front of the boys’ 13-14 category with a 145 with Filipino Keanu Jahns closing in at 146 after a solid three-under 69. Another Filipino Justin Quiban stood at 147 after a 73.
In the boys’ 10-under class, Wei Wei Gao of the Philippines wrested the lead at 161 with his 86-75, four strokes ahead of his brother Wei Yu Gao (81-84).
In the girls’ side, Kim Mingi of Korea shot a 70 after a 72 for 142, virtually wrapping up the girls’ 12-under diadem with a 12-stroke lead over Carolin Chang Yu-Hsin of Taiwan (79-75).
Regina de Guzman submitted the day’s best round of 68 after a 72 to remain on top of the girls’ 13-17 division.
Princess Superal is five shots down at 145 after a 73-72 followed at 154 (74-80) by Wu Ying-yi of Taiwan.
The event is backed by Amsterdam Pawnshop & Money Changer, Citystate Properties, Empire Insurance, Food Industries Inc., Miracle Farming Enterprise, Philippine Flour Mills,Cats, Candyman,Garry Uy, Kopi Roti, Morning Glory Co.,Inc., Pan De Manila, Bobby Inigo, Conceptrade, Ej & Obie Marcelo, Lucky Securities, Inc., Oliver Gan, Wack Wack Express, Elphege Wong, Dave Astejada and Emmanuel Lim.