Kim rules opening leg of Samsung Tour at Southwoods

Korean jungolfer Kim Chang Hoi shrugged off the challenge of Mike Bibat and the other young guns of the host club to eke out a one-stroke victory in the championship division of the Samsung Amateur Golf Tour kickoff leg at the Legends course of the Manila Southwoods Golf and County Club yesterday.

The 17-year-old Kim, a student of the Holy Angel University in Angeles City, survived a last-ditch stand by Bibat with a two-over-par 74 for a 290 aggregate as he became the first qualifier in his division for the national grand finals early next year.

Bibat, down by three after the 15th, birdied the 16th for a two-shot swing to come within one. After both parred the 17th, the smooth-swinging Bibat failed to forge a playoff when he bogeyed the last hole like the determined Korean.

Bibat’s last day output of 72 could only give the first round frontrunner second spot at 291.

The other top bets of Southwoods finished behind Kim. Lyndon Barril, second round leader Toru Nakajima, Gene Bondoc and Marc Lopez took the next four positions.

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

Barril tallied a 74 for solo third at 292, Nakajima and Bondoc also had similar 74s for share of fourth at 294 while Lopez shared low medal honors for the day with Kim but landed only sixth at 297.

The rest of the standings in the 72-hole tourney organized by the Professional Sports Management Group headed by Boy Blue Ocampo saw Canlubang bet Jay Bayron ending up seventh at 297, Mari Hechanova eighth at 299 after a 75, Aran Olea 78- 304, Miko Yee 81-312 and John Kier Abdon 80-313.

The 11 players were the only survivors among the 22 starters on Tuesday.

The top three finishers received appliances from Samsung like those winning the rest of the divisions in Classes A, B, C and D in men’s play and Classes A, B and C in the ladies group.

The series now moves to the Sta. Elena Golf Club course for the second leg on June 1-4. For inquiries, call the PSMG office at 635-0010.