Carlos sustains form, makes cut

MANILA, Philippines – Jobim Carlos proved up to the task, adding a three-under 68 to gain a spot in the Top 10 halfway through Asian Tour Qualifying School Final Stage paced by American Kevin McLister at the Springfield Royal Country Club in Hua Hin, Thailand yesterday.

Carlos kept the momentum of his strong three-birdie windup for a 69 Wednesday as he birdied three of the first eight holes at the back where he teed off then negated a bogey mishap on No. 4 with a birdie from long range on the par-3 seventh to complete a 35-33 card.

“I’m happy with another good score and a spot in the Top 10,” said Carlos. “But there’s still so much work ahead and I have to stay focused in the last two rounds.”

With a 137 output, the former University of San Francisco standout jumped from joint 37th and easily made the 36-hole cut at joint eighth although he stood seven strokes behind American Kevin McLister, who also sustained his solid 64 start with a 66 for a 130.

That was three shots ahead of Aussie Michael Wright and Korean Yikeun Chang, who had 133s after a 67 and 70, respectively, while Japanese Kodai Ichihara carded a 68 for 134.

German Sebastian Heisele shot a 67 for a 135 while Venezuelan Wolmer Murillo made a 68 for a 136.

Michael Bibat hit one birdie and turned in a 70 to likewise make the final two rounds where the top 40 players plus ties will earn cards for this year’s Asian Tour.

Carlos primed up for this event by racking up back-to-back victories back home, including the national amateur championship last week. He is actually set to join the local pro circuit next month but a solid finish in the AT Q-School will send the 23-year-old shotmaker to the region’s premier circuit instead.