Carlos powers Phl 1 to tie with Thailand

LIPA, Batangas, Philippines – Jobim Carlos trudged through the rain and carded a one-under 71, powering Philippine Team 1 to a share of the lead with Thailand at 222 at the start of The Montecillo Junior Golf Team Championships at the Mt. Malarayat Golf and Country Club here yesterday.

While the rest of the elite junior field struggled under tough playing condition, the 18-year-old Carlos posted the day’s lone under-par card although he fumbled with a double-bogey from the bunker on No. 15.

With Miguel Tabuena shooting a 75 and Clyde Mondilla adding a 76, Phl 1 pooled a 222, matching Thailand’s opening day output in what promises to be a two-team battle in the four-day tournament which attracted the best junior players from six countries in Asia and the Pacific.

Gio Gandionco’s 77 didn’t count.

Top Thai bet Poom Saksanin made a 73 while Rattanon Wannasrichan and Natipong Sritong scored 74 and 75, respectively, and Somprad Rattanasuwan’s 77 was scratched out in the four-to-play, three-to-count event organized by the Junior Golf Foundation of the Phils. and sanctioned by Royal and Ancient in St. Andrews, Scotland.

“I was having a good day before I got a double bogey on the 15th hole. But generally I’m happy with my performance,” said Carlos, who birdied three of the first 12 holes. “My goal is to have a solid performance in the next few days and try to avoid bogeys.”

He led Poom by two in the individual race of the event held in honor of the late Amalia “Mommy” Montecillo, prime mover of the jungolf movement in Asia.

The Phl team 2 rode on Jonar Austria’s 74 while Kenneth Kano, Rupert Zaragosa and JP Calro each had 79 for a 232 for third, 10 shots behind, while Singapore stood at distant fourth with a 235 from Melvin Chew’s 76, Nicklaus Chiam’s 79 and Joshua Ho’s 80.

Chinese Taipei’s Wu Cheng Hsein (80), Huang Shu Ya (82), Liu Len Hung (82) and Hsiang Yu Chuan (82) wound up with a 246 while Guam’s Redge Camacho (83), Ryan Christnsen (85) and Nalaporn Vongjalorn (87) had a 256.

While Carlos wavered in the stretch, Poom, ranked 60th in the world in the amateurs, birdied Nos. 16 and 17 that made up for a shaky start marred by bogeys on No. 1 and 8 and a double bogey on No. 3.

Tabuena, the Asian Games silver medalist hoping to finish his amateur career with a bang with a strong finish here, hobbled in heavy rain in the early going but recovered a bit at the back to save a round of 75.

“We’ve been practicing here every week in the last three weeks so we’re a little bit familiar with the course,” said Tabuena. “But we’re not prepared with this condition. This evened things out for everyone and diminished our advantage in terms of familiarity because the Thais did not know what to expect going into this event.”

Meanwhile, action in the ladies side starts today with Andie Unson and Sarah Jane Ababa of the ICTSI squad and reigning national champion Irina Gabasa leading Phl team 1 and Princess Superal, Daniella Uy and Sheryl Villacencio forming another trio for Phl team 2.

The event is sponsored by the International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI), Pancake House, Sizzlin Pepper, Teriyaki Boy, Chevrolet, Philippine Airlines, Friends of Jungolf, Golf Depot, San Miguel Corp., Coca Cola Bottlers, Duty Free, PacSports, MJ Carr Golf Management, Pisanti Golf, livescoreph.com, McDonald’s, Julie’s Bakeshop and Ishields. Inquirer Golf and A Round of Golf are media partners.