Samanodi pulls away as Chan falters in Davao PGT Q-school
KURESH SAMANODI underscored his readiness for a triumphant return to the Philippine Golf Tour (PGT) as he seized a commanding fourstroke lead despite a 73 while Aidric Chan wavered at the finish in the third round of the Philippine Golf Tour Q-school in Davao City Thursday.
Despite enduring a fourbogey setback in hot and windy conditions, Samanodi hit a clutch birdie on the seventh and gunned down an eagle on the par-five No. 12 and his 38-35 round not only cushioned the impact of his first over-par card in three days but also pulled away from the chasing pack with a four-under 212.
“I think my score today was OK,” said Samanodi, who norms 290-300 yards off the mound. “I had some missed shots and missed putts. But I’m okay with the 73.”
Chan, four strokes behind Samanodi halfway through the 72hole eliminations granting 30 slots in this year’s PGT unfolding at Apo Golf next week, momentarily took control with a three-birdie binge from No. 7 for a 33.
However, challenges at the backside of the South Pacific Golf and Leisure Estates course, including bogeys on Nos. 10 and 16 and a double-bogey finish, resulted in a 40 and a 73.
“Some of the greens are really slow. I had a 30-40 birdie putt on No. 16 and threeputted,” said Chan, who also muffed a birdie opportunity on the next.
“On No. 18, I hit it over the fence and ended up with another three-putt,” said Chan, who however remains optimistic about transitioning smoothly from his decorated amateur career to the professional ranks with a 216 total.
“I just have to clean up for some mistakes and give myself a chance for more birdies,” he added.
Korean amateur Min Hyeok Yu likewise seemed poised to clinch his PGT card with a 217 after a 72, alongside former national team mainstay Kristoffer Arevalo and Japanese Ozeki Kakeru, who tied for fourth at 218 after 70 and 72, respectively.