Shin surges ahead with one-under 71

MANILA, Philippines — Micah Shin mounted a stirring backside charge to grab a three-stroke lead yesterday and move to within 36 holes of a second title at The Country Club Invitational in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

As the rest of the field wilted under the full force of TCC’s notorious challenge – with the wind howling, the heat intensifying and scores soaring – Shin stood his ground. After stumbling to one-over through 11 holes, he struck back with a clutch run of three birdies over four holes from No. 12, then shrugged off a late bogey to post the day’s lone under-par round of 71.

That gritty effort lifted him to two-under 142, three shots clear of a stacked group of proven contenders as the P6.5-million championship reached its midway point.

“To be honest, I didn’t expect to lead,” said Shin. “It’s pretty windy out there. I drove well, although my short game and putting were a bit off. But I hung in there.”

His second straight one-under card was enough to put him back on course for a second title, eight years after edging Miguel Tabuena by one.

First-round leader and two-time champion Guido van der Valk had four bogeys over his last six holes, and followed his opening 67 with a woeful 78. Still, Van der Valk remained very much in the hunt, slipping only to second at 145 alongside a formidable cast that included Tabuena, Clyde Mondilla and Korean Jaehyun Jung.