Korean paces Samsung golf

After a Japanese came a Korean as Kim Chang Hoi rode three consecutive birdies from the 13th to fire a three-under par 69 and seize the lead in the championship division of the Samsung Amateur Tour’s kick-off leg at the Legends course of the Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club in Carmona, Cavite yesterday.

Kim, playing out of Royal Northwoods, bulldozed his way past second round leader Toru Nakajima of Japan and a horde of Manila Southwoods boys with a 34-35 for a 216 after earlier rounds of 73-74.

Kim finished the day two strokes ahead of Lyndon Barril, a medical student who carded a second straight 73 for 218 and was the best-placed Southwoods bet at second place.

Barril was already leading after he birdied the 16th only to stumble with a double-bogey on the 17th before yielding another stroke on the final hole.

First round leader Michael Bibat submitted another 74 to move up to third place at 219 while Nakajima plunged from the top to a share of fourth with former national player Gene Bondoc after a disappointing round of 78. Bondoc turned in a 76.

Canlubang’s Jay Bayron likewise made his move with his 71, behind a 33 in the front nine, putting him just six shots off at 222. Bayron could have done better if not for a double-bogey on the 16th hole.

The event is part of Samsung’s all-out support for local sports. It is co-sponsored by Tokyo Tokyo, Gatorade, Adidas Taylor Made, KZG by Custom Clubmakers, Pink Patio Boracay, Coppertone Sport, Rogin-E and Philippine Airlines as the official airline.

Media partners are Killer-Bee, Jam 88.3, Wave 89.1, Magic 89.9, 99.5 RT and 103.5 K-Lite.

Completing the standing were Marc Lopez 78-226, Mari Hechanova 72-224, Aran Olea 77-227, Miko Yee 79-231 and John Kier Abdon 82-233.

The hot and humid day also saw Alfred Concepcion shoot the first ace of the season.

Concepcion, a Class B player, holed his tee-shot on the third hole. He won a special prize from the host club.

One under after eight holes, Nakajima took a triple-bogey on the water-laced ninth where he put two balls into the water. His game deteriorated in the back nine, shooting a 40 on four bogeys.