Aussie, US bet take lead with super 64’s
Australia’s Scott Barr and Micah Lauren Shin of the United States came out strong yesterday, shooting identical eight-underpar 64s to set the early pace in the $1 million Resorts World Manila Masters at the Manila Southwoods.
Barr birdied two of his first three holes at the challenging Jack Nicklaus’ Masters layout then added two more on the sixth and eighth holes. After the turn, he went five-under with another birdie at No. 10.
However, he slowed down a bit with a double-bogey on the par-4 11th hole, where he missed the fairway with his drive. But he kept his composure the rest of the way with three more birdies and an eagle on the par-5 finishing hole.
“I’ve been playing quite well but the scores sometimes don’t reflect that,” said the Australian who’s still searching his first win on the Asian Tour.
Shin, a lanky 20-year-old who honed his talent and skills in Davao, had eight birdies on a bogey-free round. He was among the last players to tee off and caught the Australian on top of the leaderboard.
He teed off at No. 10 and after birdying the 12th, went on a roll with four straight birdies starting on the 15th. He added three more birdies on his back nine.
Prom Meesawat of Thailand and compatriot Arnond Vongvanij each had a 65 to stay just a shot off the leaders heading to the second round.
Defending champion S.S.P. Chawrasia of India and Justin Quiban of the Philippines towed two other players at six-under 66, including Richard Lee of Canada and Chanachok Dejpiratanamongkol of Thailand, who had a hole-in-one on the 13th.
The Resorts World Manila Masters, on its fifth and last year, is the richest golf tournament in the Philippines.
“I’ll try to go through the routine and I’ll just play my normal game and hopefully, it keeps going,” said the Australian, hoping that none of the players left out on the course could catch him at the top of the leaderboard.