Koreans take charge in Samsung Amateur

Dasmariñas, Cavite , Philippines   – Wang Jeung-hun’s three-under-par 69 in the championship division spiked a strong performance by Korean expats who took the lead in six of the eight categories after the first round of the Samsung Amateur Tour at the Player course of the Orchard Golf and Country Club in Dasmariñas, Cavite.

Wang submitted nines of 33-36 for a commanding four-stroke lead over compatriot Yeom Seo-hyen as Koreans once again displayed their might with Hyun Woo-jung, Kwak Tae-seop, Jeong Yu-na and Jun youn-jung also moving up in their respective divisions.

Lee Byeong-mog was in a three-way tie for the lead in men’s Class B after submitting an 82 like Japanese expat Shigemi Chikama and Jeric Ang.

Young Jobim Carlos, fresh from his stint in the Junior World meet in San Diego, had a decent 75 but still left him six shots behind Wang.

Jaime Beech led Class A with a 75 while Imelda Agustin pace ladies Class B with a 94 to be just among the three local frontrunners emerging after the first round play.

The battle shifts to the Palmer course for the second and final round with the five division winners in the men’s competition and three in the girls side set to win trophies and top-of-the-line Samsung mobile phones.

The P100,000 cash prize put up by International Armoring and Club Car cart which was staked as hole-in-one prizes were safe for the first round with the intermittent rains making the playing conditions even tougher.

The other sponsors of the event are Mizuno, Crestlink, Custom Clubmakers, Wow Magic Sing, Omnisource International, Gargol, Cranutti, ABW. Media sponsors are Inquirer Golf, Golf Punk and A Round of Golf.

Hyun was a runaway leader in men’s Class C with his 80 giving him an 11-shot cushion, Kwak was up by three over Norberto Dapito in men’s Class D after a 110, Jeong’s 73 put her four ahead in Ladies A and Jun (96) had a commanding 12-stroke advantage in Ladies C.

For the men, the championship bracket will be those with handicaps of 0 to 3.9, Class A for 4 to 8.9, Class B for 9 to 14.9, Class C for 15 to 21.9 and Class D for 22 and above. For the ladies, Class A is for 0 to 8.9, Class B for 9 to 19.9 and Class C for 20 and above.