Cho, Olives on top in RP international junior golf

MANILA, Philippines – South Korean Cho Dae Yung fired a two-under 70 to show the way in the Class A while Marco Olives seized control in the special division with a 69 at the start of the PCSO Philippine International Junior Golf Championships at the Canlubang Golf and Country Club in Laguna yesterday.

Cho leaned on his flawless frontside stint as he submitted a 70 he spiked with two birdies. He posted a four-shot lead over Natipong Srithong of Thailand, who had a 74, in the 15-17 age group division of the meet organized by the Philippine Junior Golf Federation.

Another Korean, Hwang Kang Youl, carded a 75 to place third in the premier class.

Olives flashed his familiarity with the 6,305-m layout as he gunned down four birdies to negate his lone bogey for that 69 to open a whopping 12-shot lead over Gabriel Villareal and Allan Guy, who both had 81s.

In Class B, Thai Khemkhon Limbhasut made a 75 and gained a five-stroke lead over Korean Si Yung Lee (80) while Gen Nagai of Cebu led Class C with an 85, three shots ahead of Leon D’Souza of Hong Kong.

Local bet Gabriel Careon shot a 98 to pace Class D while Stephanie Olea, also of Cebu, made a 78 followed by Charlene Avaricio (97) in the 13-21 age group of the event backed by Lucio “Bong” Tan Jr. of MacroAsia, Wallem Phils. Shipping, Toyota Balintawak, Toyota Otis, New Divisoria Mall, Rescue Derm and Gilberto Duavit.