Kim paces Sta Lucia Amateur series

MANILA, Philippines - Brian Kim salvaged a one-over 73 in tough conditions and grabbed a one-stroke lead over local bet William Tomanggong and Jelbert Gamolo at the start of the Sta. Lucia Amateur Series’ fourth leg at Rancho Palos Verdes Golf and Country Club in Davao yesterday.

Kim rolled in an eight-foot birdie putt on No. 4 but flubbed four other birdies chances inside seven feet while fumbling with two bogeys. But with Tomanggong and Gamolo also missing key putts, the 27-year-old mainstay of Eagle Ridge held on to the lead in the centerpiece Championship division.

“It was a tough and long course. There was hardly any wind so it was hot and humid,” said Kim, who had to play out from under the trees on No. 8 and three-putted No. 14 for his two bogeys.

Gamolo missed joining Kim in the lead with a muffed six-footer for par on the 18th as the sophomore from Lyceum settled for joint second with Tomanggong, who wavered at the finish with two bogeys on the last three holes for a 74.

Businessman Joel Yamyamin, a regular player in the PAL Interclub, took solo fourth with a 76 while Kim Il-gyu hobbled with a 79 in the event sponsored by Wilcon Depot, Pomelo Tee, Davies Paints, Mizuno and Kang Ho Bong.

The Davao stop is the last in the elimination phase of the Sta. Lucia Amateur Series, headed by tournament chairman Vince Santos, before the finale, called Tournament of Champions, slated at the Beverly Place Golf Club in Pampanga from Aug. 27-29.

Backing up the event are ICSI, AQEI, WGC Golf, Isuzu, Dizon Farms, Texas Eagle, Rub Ribs, VMJ Evergreen, Ecostrong, U-Frieght, Gatorade, Dunlop, Boysen, Security Bank, Royale Homes and Microtel.