Go siblings going great guns in ICTSI Palos Verdes

DAVAO – Lloyd Go edged Ira Alido in a scrambling frontside finish and carded a two-under 70 to seize a two-stroke lead halfway through the ICTSI Palos Verdes Championship at Rancho Palos Verdes Golf and Country Club here yesterday.

Go booked a 36 on a strong charge at the front, salvaging four shots in two critical holes and draining two more birdies to claim the solo lead at seven-under 137. This moved him 36 holes away from scoring a breakthrough victory on the Philippine Golf Tour.

“I hit an OB (out-of-bounds) on No. 1 but eagled it on my second ball for par, and made a long birdie putt on No. 4. That’s probably four shots saved,” said Go, who matched Sean Ramos’ 67 to share the opening-day honors in the P2 million championship put up by ICTSI Tuesday.

Assisting him in his title quest is his mother-caddie Lily, whose presence provides both support and a lesson in patience for the young campaigner.

However, the Cebuano shotmaker faces stiff challenge not just from Alido, who shot a 71, but also from seasoned campaigner Angelo Que, who waxed hot in the last nine holes at the front to put himself at joint second at 139 following a 72 Tuesday.

In women’s play, Lois Kaye Go, sister of Lloyd, extended her lead to two strokes over Chihiro Ikeda despite conceding two precious shots on the last hole, posting a 71 and positioning herself on the brink of a breakthrough victory with a 143 total.

Ikeda produced a two-birdie, two-bogey round for a 72, keeping her position at second with a 145, while young Laurea Duque grabbed solo third at 147, also after matching par 72.