Aussie Stewart seizes 1-shot advantage

BACOLOD – Tim Stewart of Australia marked his return to the Philippine Golf Tour in smashing fashion, shooting a four-under 66 then pouncing on fellow big-hitting Keanu Jahns’ late-hole miscues to wrest a one-stroke lead at the start of the ICTSI Iloilo Golf Challenge at the par-70 Iloilo Golf and Country Club here yesterday.

Back in the circuit after finishing fourth at PGT Asia Southwoods last June, Stewart leaned on his hot putter to produce seven birdies that negated a double-bogey and bogey on Nos. 3 and 13, respectively. But the 33-year-old winner of the recent Tahiti Open had to watch Jahns waver in the last two holes at the front to snatch the lead in the early going of the 72-hole championship sponsored by ICTSI.

“I putted well at the back side and hopefully, I’ll do better tomorrow (tothe day),” said Stewart, who also placed fifth at PGTA Luisita and tied for 25th at PGTA Riviera.

Jahns came away with two pitchin eagle feats on par-4 holes, the first spiking his big opening charge on No. 11 and the other on No. 6 that put him on top of the 71-player starting field at five-under. But the Fil-German shot- maker, one of the rising young guns in circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., three-putted No. 8 and missed the last green, enabling Stewart to seize control.

“I got confused with the speed of the greens. My putts were way off in the last two holes, both going past the cup,” rued Jahns.