Jobim Carlos fuels drive with 66

MANILA, Philippines — Jobim Carlos put in a fiery five-under 66 to barge into the top 10 and bolster his bid for an Asian Tour card in the second round of the Final Stage of the Qualifying School in Thailand yesterday.

Carlos knocked down three birdies on each nine of the Lakeview Resort and Golf Club in Hua Hin to make up for his bogey on the par-5 No. 8 as he jumped from a share of 31st to joint eighth after two days of the grueling 90-hole competition which stakes playing rights on the Asian Tour in 2019 for the top 35 players plus ties. Counting his opening 68, the former national champion assembled a 134 to move three strokes off clubhouse leader Poom Pattaropong of Thailand.

Choo Tze Huang, the former Singapore amateur champion and a campaigner in the Phl circuit, had a running six-under card for a 12-under aggregate with six holes to play, leaving Pattaropong as the provisional leader at 11-under 131 after a sizzling 64.

Lloyd Go slowed down with a 69 after an impressive 67 but the rookie Filipino pro remained on target with a 136 for a share of 20th . Jay Bayron, who turned in the best score of 66 among the Filipino bidders Wednesday, blew a two-under card at the front with a bogey and a double-bogey at the back for a 72. He slipped to joint 37th at 138.

The top 140 plus ties after 36 holes from the starting field of 242 players will advance. The top 70 plus ties after 72 holes dispute the cards for next year’s Asian Tour.

Clyde Mondilla  struck back with a 68 after a 71 but remained too far behind at 139 for a share of 49th while Justin Quiban failed to hurdle the first block with 72-75 for a 147 for joint 201st.