MANILA, Philippines - Club bet Brian Kim and Jelbert Gamolo carded identical even par 72s to force a three-way tie with Aidric Chan in the crowded first round of the Sta. Lucia Amateur Tour at the Eagle Ridge Golf and Country Club in Gen. Trias, Cavite yesterday.
Carlo Villaroman turned in a two-over 74 to share fourth with Wei Wei Gao in the premiere Open Division played at the challenging Aoki layout, which will play host to an Asian Development Tour leg next month.
Kim sizzled with a 33 at the front highlighted by an eagle on No. 5 and two birdies in the first five holes but wavered at the back with a 39 for that 72.
In contrast, Gamolo of Lyceum Cavite leaned on a strong windup of two birdies in the last three holes to salvage an even par card.
“We are happy to see these guys compete on a national level,” said chairman Vince Santos of the five-leg tour, which included an Open division this year to provide the country’s top and rising amateur players another tournament to showcase their shotmaking skills.
Liam Cully, a member of the PAL Men’s Interclub Founders division champion Alabang, and Carlo Gatmaitan stood three strokes adrift at 75 while the fancied Rupert Zaragosa struggled on the putting surface and hobbled with a 76 for joint eighth with Lance Uy and Wei Yu Gao with 76.
“I didn’t putt well today (yesterday),” Zaragosa said.
Over at the Norman course, Bianca Pagdanganan shot a three-over 75 to open a three-shot lead over Felicia Medalla and Harmie Constantino in the ladies division.
Kyla Nocum had a 79 for third while Samantha Bruce made an 81 and Ashia Nocum skied to an 82.