Korean virtually hurdles ICTSI PGT qualifier

MANILA, Philippines – Seok Jun Min hardly slowed down from a solid 64 in the second round as he carded a three-under 69 to virtually nail a berth in the ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour firing off next week at Anvaya Cove Golf and Sports Club course in Morong, Bataan.

Seok gunned down five birdies in hot condition but fumbled with two bogeys for a 35-34 card and a 54-hole total of 207 at the Royal Northwoods Golf and Country Club in San Rafael, Bulacan. He was three shots ahead of Australian Kevin Marques and Toru Nakajima of Japan heading to the final round of the 72-hold PGT Qualifying School for foreign players.

Marquez sizzled with a 66 while Nakajima turned in a 68 as they pooled identical 210s even as Nathan Park, also of Australia, and American John Jackson assembled similar 212s after a 69 and 73, respectively, to likewise move closer to nailing spots for this year’s circuit.

The top 15 players after four rounds will be included in Category 8 while those ending up 16th to 25th will be included in Category 10. A total of 66 players vied in the tournament sponsored by ICTSI and organized by the Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. for foreign players seeking to play in the country’s premier golf circuit.

Koreans Hwang Kang Youl and Park Jun Hyeok and Manila-based Canadian Rick Gibson all totaled 213s after 69, 72 and 73, respectively, for joint sixth while Aussie Nelson Turner carded a 71 and American Sam Ayotte and Korean amateur Kim In Jae matched par 72s for 214s for a share of ninth.

Korean Park Min Ung shot a 71 for a 215 while Park Jun Song, also of Korea, and Japanese Kei Takahashi assembled 216s after a 70 and 72, respectively, for joint 13th.