Carlos rallies with a 69, stays on track in AT elims

MANILA, Philippines - Jobim Carlos put on a blazing windup to fire a two-under 69 and get back into the middle of the pack at the start of the Asian Tour Qualifying School Final Stage paced by American Kevin McLister at the Springfield Royal Country Club in Hua Hin, Thailand yesterday.

Carlos recovered from bogeys on Nos. 6 and 9 with four birdies at the back, capped by a three-birdie string to close out his 37-32 card, bouncing back from near-bottom of the 119-player starting field to joint 27th in an impressive start for a young shotmaker chasing his Asian Tour card.

The 23-year-old Filipino, who posted a runaway victory in the national championship last week to cap his stint in the amateurs, is set to join the local pro golf circuit next month but is eyeing to jump into the more lucrative Asian Tour with a strong campaign in Thailand.

At joint 27th, he is well within the top 40 plus ties bracket for spots in this year’s circuit although Carlos, handled by former three-time Junior World champion Carito Villaroman, remains wary of his chances with a slew of other talented aspirants expected to make their moves in the next three days.

“When I made the turn at two-over, I tried to calm down and stayed patient. I didn’t want to fall farther so I waited for the right time to strike. When I birdied No. 16, I pushed myself and closed out with two more birdies,” said Carlos.

Carlos’ strong start also humbled the other veteran Filipino pros in the fold with the long-hitting Orlan Sumcad carding a 70 for a share of 39th and Charles Hong way below the cutoff line at joint 87th after a 74.

McLister aced No. 7 of the par-71 layout and went on to shoot a 64 to open a one-stroke lead over fellow American Tom Johnson, who had a 65, while Japanese Kodai Ichihara, South African Thriston Lawrence, Singapore’s Quincy Quek and Julian Kunzebacher of Germany all shot 66s.