Hernandez wobbles but hangs on to lead

SILANG, Cavite, Philippines — Jet Hernandez squandered a big lead after only nine holes but recovered at the finish to regain the lead despite a 79 as Korean Kim Tae Soo blew a solid eagle-spiked start with a closing 40 for a 72 in the second round of the Riviera MVPSF Amateur Championship at Riviera’s Langer course here yesterday.

Kim sizzled with a birdie-eagle feat after six holes, his opening three-under 32 proving enough to overhaul an eight-shot deficit after 18 holes as Hernandez, who set the pace with an opening 73, groped and limped with a frontside 41 in the second round. But the Korean lost his touch at the tougher backside of the par-71, demanding layout, double-bogeying the first two holes and closing out with a birdie-bogey game in the last seven holes to end up with a one-over card.

Hernandez, meanwhile, dropped two more strokes at the back and wound up with a birdie-less eight-over card, barely staying on top at 152 with Kim just behind at 153, the same output up in by Josh Jorge, who carded a 75. Sean Ramos turned in a 74 to get into the mix at 154, two off the pace heading to the final 18 holes of the annual event conducted and organized by National Golf Association of the Philippines.