Que forces 4-way tie in Queen’s Cup

MANILA, Philippines -  Angelo Que checked a late frontside foldup with two birdies in the last four holes as he fired a six-under 65 to gain a share of the lead with Thai Chanat Sakulpolphaisan and two others at the start of the Queen’s Cup at the Santiburi Samui Country Club in Koh Samui, Thailand last night.

Que, coming off a fifth place finish in the Japan PGA Tour, came up with a pair of three-birdie strings at the back where he teed off, stumbled with two bogeys in the first three holes at the front but birdied Nos. 6 and 8 to earn first day honors in the $500,000 Asian Tour event.

“It was pleasing to shoot a 65 after arriving only last night (Wednesday). I hit it pretty good and was in good form two weeks before coming here,” said Que, who also relied on a new putter in ramming in six birdies in a seven-hole stretch at the back.

Sakulpolphaisan turned in the first 65 in the early morning group before Que, seeking his fourth crown on the Asian Tour, preserved his fiery start with closing birdies as they posted a one-shot lead over Japanese Daisuke Kataoka and Malaysian Nicholas Fung, who both carded 66s.

India’s Rashid Khan and Thai Prayad Marksaeng also came in late with 65s to force a four-way tie for the lead.

Juvic Pagunsan, the other Filipino ace based in Japan, eagled the last hole to fire a three-under 68 for joint 11th with eight others, including Spain’s Carlos Pigem and Bangladeshi Siddikur.