Jung storms ahead as Cheon slips

LAUREL, Batangas, Philippines — Power-hitting Jaehyun Jung turned Splendido Taal Golf Club into his personal playground, delivering a brilliant eagle-spiked five-under 67 to seize a commanding four-stroke lead midway through the Philippine Golf Tour Qualifying School on Wednesday.

While the rest of the 112 hopefuls battled gusty winds and the challenges of the rolling par-72 layout, Jung showcased his superior power, iron play and putting, and positioned himself as the leader at six-under 138.

After an opening-round 71 that left him tied for third with Carl Corpus and Atsushi Ueda, two strokes behind Ji Sung Cheon, Jung set the course ablaze early. He eagled the par-5 No. 2 and followed up with three straight birdies from No. 5. He continued his dominance by capitalizing on the long holes, birdieing Nos. 9 and 11.

Just when he thought he had the course all figured out, it struck back, forcing him into back-to-back bogeys from No. 13. He steadied himself thereafter, parring the remaining holes.

He claimed a four-stroke lead over Cheon, who stumbled at the finish, bogeying two of the last three holes for a 73 and a 142.

Corpus birdied the first two holes and gained more strokes on Nos. 10 and 12 to offset bogeys on Nos. 5, 7, 13 and 15 as he posted a 72 and a 36-hole aggregate of 143 for solo third, five strokes off the pace.

“It was a strange day. The wind in the morning was much harder, swirling unpredictably. I had to play conservatively and constantly check the wind, even at the last minute,” said Corpus, who emerged as the best-placed Filipino contender.

Ivan Monsalve, who had impressed with a 70 in the first round, struggled with a 79, dropping from joint second to provisional 13th at 149.

Despite the setback, he remained within the Top 60 and ties, ensuring a place in the final two rounds.