KOREAN amateur Tom Kim fought back from a bogey mishap coming off an hour-long weather delay with two birdies in the last four holes and grabbed the clubhouse lead with a 67 in the third round of the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) Riviera Classic in Silang, Cavite, on Friday.
He pooled a 206 with halfway leader Clyde Mondilla at 207 on an even-par card with two holes left at press time.
Michael Bibat, who moved to second with a bogey-free second-round 65, stood at four-under also on an even-par card after 16 holes.
Marvin Dumandan shot his third straight 70 and stayed in contention at 210 although the former club pro stood four strokes behind Kim, winner of a couple of the country’s top amateur tournaments.
Charles Hong also followed up his second round 68 with a 69 as the former ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour winner tied Dumandan at fourth while Dutch Guido Van der Valk fired the round’s best 66 to gain solo sixth at 212 heading to the last 18 holes of the $100,000 championship serving as the third leg of the inaugural Philippine Golf Tour Asia Tour sponsored by ICTSI.
Tony Lascuña carded a second 71 for joint seventh with Erwin Arcillas, who shot a 69, at 214 while erstwhile contender Ira Alido stumbled with a five-over card for a running two-over overall with two to play.
Jhonnel Ababa turned in a 70 after a 71 for a 215 in a tie with Jerson Balasabas and American James Bowen, who carded a 70 and 71, respectively.
The rest of the 53 players who made the cut lay too far behind the leaders although four locals remained within striking distance of Kim for a crack at the top $17,500 purse in the 72-hole championship organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.
The fourth stop of the region’s newest circuit, organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., will be held from November 15 to 18 at Wack Wack while Luisita will host the next leg from November 29 to December 2 for the CAT (Central Azucarera de Tarlac) Open.
The ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour, on the other hand, will hold its final tournament for the year from September 26 to 29 for the ICTSI Players Championship at Summit Point in Batangas while the first ICTSI National Pro-Am will be played from October 17 to 19 at Mt. Malarayat Golf and Country Club in Lipa City, Batangas.
Image credits: Alysa Salen