Chan fights back with 69 in jungolf

MANILA, Philippines — Aidric Chan fired a three-under 69 and closed within three off Andi Xu halfway through the premier boys’ division of the Junior World Championships at the Torrey Pines North in San Diego, California Wednesday.

Chan, spearhead of the national team vying in the SEA Games the country is hosting late this year at Luisita in Tarlac, gunned down five birdies in a 12-hole stretch from No. 4 against two bogeys, the last on the 18th that stalled the Filipino ace’s charge after a three-birdie, three-bogey effort (72) in the first round in the 15-18 category.

Still, his 141 aggregate put him closer to Xu, who slowed down with a 72 after a 66 for a 138, one stroke ahead of Utah’s Brandon Robison, who assembled a 139 after a 70, while Aussie Connor McKinney and Ben Lorenz of Arizona tied for third at 140 after a 68 and 71, respectively.

Chan, who topped the grueling SEA Games last month, moved in a seven-way tie at fifth with two rounds left in the annual event featuring the world’s leading and rising age-groupers.

Bernice Ilas also fought back from an opening 76 with a 68 at Bernardo Heights, her 144 also earning her a joint spot at fifth, also three shots behind Thai Sarunchana Rattanasin, who strung up a 70 and 71 for a 141 for a three-way tie with Chinese Ka Yee Kwok (71-70) and Taiwanese Ho Yu An (68-73).

Eagle Ace Superal, coming off a big win at FCG International in El Cajon, California last week, bucked a two-over card after 12 holes with a birdie-eagle-birdie feat from No. 13 to salvage a 70 and climb to seventh at 144 in girls’ 13-14 play.

The Country Club mainstay, however, lay eight shots off Taiwan’s Hsin-Tai Lin, who made a 36-hole output of 136 built on rounds of 69-67 for a huge four-stroke lead over Thai Natachanok Tunwannarux heading to the last round of the 54-hole event.