Wang storms to four-stroke edge

MANILA, Philippines - Wang Jeung Hun wielded another solid round of three-under 69 and pulled away by four strokes over reigning national champion Clyde Mondilla, threatening to blow away the field in the WWWExpress-DHL National Golf Championships at Canlubang’s north course in Laguna yesterday.

Wang, whose bogey-free 66 put him in command Tuesday, stayed in control under ideal playing condition, knocking down four birdies against his first bogey in 36 holes on No. 11, giving him a 36-hole haul of nine-under 135 and a big cushion in his bid to win the crown he lost via disqualification last year.

The 16-year-old Korean, playing out of Riviera, stood four shots ahead of Mondilla, who took over the challenger’s role after erstwhile pursuers Zanieboy Gialon and fellow Korean and Riviera teammate Cho Dae Hyung tumbled down with mediocre scores despite the absence of the wind.

Mondilla spiked his four-under 68 with an eagle-3 on No. 14 and added three birdies that more than made up for his lone bogey mishap on the par-3 No. 11.

With a 139 aggregate, the Del Monte bet, trying to end a series of so-so finishes in the last few months, moved into contention to add the WWWExpress-DHL title to the national crown he won at home last year.

Carl Ocampo, the Fil-Am bet from the ICTSI-The Country Club stable, shot the day’s best round of five-under 67 he capped with a stirring six-under 30 at the front on his homeward trip.

From joint 13th before the round, Ocampo jumped to a share of third with Gialon and Cho at 140 with 36 holes remaining in the 16th staging of the event sponsored by WWWExpress and DHL.

Gialon wavered with a 73 after an impressive 67 while Cho settled for two 36s for a 72 after a 68.

Miguel Tabuena missed matching Ocampo’s 67 as he flubbed a short birdie putt on No. 9, settling for a 68 although he moved up to joint sixth with Aristeo Mata, who had a 71, at 141.

Meanwhile, Sarah Ababa turned in the lone under round of 70 to wrest a two-shot lead over ICTSI teammates Dottie Ardina and Lovelynn Guioguio at the start of the 54-hole ladies championship conducted by the National Golf Association of the Phils.

Defending three-time champion Chihiro Ikeda, chasing her third title early in the season after topping the Philippine Ladies Open and the Southern Ladies, stayed within striking distance with a 73 while Jayvie Agojo stood in fifth with a 74.

Apple Fudolyn carded a 75 to fall in a three-way tie for sixth with reigning national champion Irina Gabasa and Andie Unson, the low amateur in the recent The Country Club Invitational.

In team competition, also known as the RVF Southeast Asian Cup, the Philippine team of Tabuena, Jerson Balasabas and Jobim Carlos combined for a 137 for a 281 to seize a one-stroke lead over South Korea heading in the final 18 holes.

While Wang sustained his top form, teammates Hwang Kang Youl and Yeom Seo Hyun floundered as they fumbled with a 144 and slid to second with a 282.

Singapore remained in far third with a 293 after a 144.