Carlos tows Phl jungolfers to 2-shot lead

LIPA, Batangas, Philippines – Jobim Carlos continued to shine under tough playing condition at Mt. Malarayat here, firing a four-under 68 and steering the Philippines to a two-stroke lead over Thailand halfway through The Montecillo Junior Golf Team Championships yesterday.

Carlos, who led the team’s first round charge with a 71 for a share of the lead with Thailand, bucked a three-bogey mishap in another rainy day with seven birdies, including on No. 15, which he double-bogeyed in the first round when he failed to clear the bunker.

“This time, I used a 3-wood instead of a 3-iron and I made sure not to hit the bunker,” said Carlos. “I hope to keep my score lower in the last two days so I could help our team put away the Thais.”

With Miguel Tabuena fighting back with a 71 after a 75 and Gio Gandionco counting for the team with a 74, Phl Team 1 assembled a three-under 213 and pooled a 36-hole aggregate of 435, two shots clear of Thailand, which settled for a 215-437.

Rattanon Warasnichan shot a 71 while Somprad Rattanasuwan and fancied Poom Saksanin each had even par 72 as the Thais played a steady game to remain in contention despite dropping off the share of the lead.

Clyde Mondilla, the reigning national champion, hobbled all day and failed to count with a 75.

The Phl ladies, led by ICTSI team mainstays Andie Unson’s 73 and Sarah Ababa’s 75, are headed for a big romp as they took the first two spots with Phl Team 1 scoring a 148 and Phl Team 2 turning in a 151 from Princess Superal’s 75 and Daniella Uy’s 76.

Thais Pavarisa Yoktuan struggled with a 77 and Pinrath Loomboonruang made a 78 for a 155 for third while Singapore’s Phoebe Tan (80) and Joey Poh (82) had a 162 and Chinese Taipei’s Lee Chai Pai (79) and Lin Yu Yu (85) had a 164.

Reigning national champion Irene Gabasa made an 83 and didn’t count for Team A in the event organized by the Junior Golf Foundation of the Phils. and sanctioned by Royal and Ancient in St. Andrews, Scotland.

“I had some lucky breaks and good bounces,” said Carlos, who made up for his two three-putt bogeys on Nos. 3 and 14 and a missed green bogey on No. 11 with seven birdies, including four at the front.

The 18-year-old Carlos’ 36-hole haul of 139 also gave him a whopping six-shot lead over Saksanin, who had a 145, in the individual race of the event which features the leading junior players in the Asia-Pacific region.

Tabuena, 16, blew hot and cold again and wound up with five birdies against four bogeys, including on No. 18 which he overshot and missed a par-saving putt from eight feet.

Melvin Chew (77) and Nicklaus Chiam (77) and Thomas Tan (75) towed Singapore to third place in the men’s with a 464, four ahead of Phl 2’s Jonar Austria (79), Rupert Zaragosa (77) and JP de Claro (80), who fell from second to fourth with a 468.