Carlos surges ahead with 67; Superal pads lead to 6

CANLUBANG — Jobim Carlos fired a five-under 67 to seize one-shot lead over Japanese Yuto Katsuragawa even as Princess Superal practically sealed another title romp in the 21st W Express RVF Cup Amateur Golf Championship at Cangolf’s North Course here yesterday.

Seeking a big win to cap a checkered amateur career, the pro-bound Carlos scorched the backside with four birdies en route to a 67 and a 213 total, enough to overtake the Japanese who limped home with a 74 after a lead-grabbing 68 the other day.

It also left Justin Quiban six strokes off Carlos after firing a 73.

With the rest too far behind to pose a threat, the fight for this year’s title is reduced to a two-man affair with Carlos and Katsuragawa bracing for a final round shootout in the event sponsored by W Express, conducted by the National Golf Association of the Phil- ippines and held in honor of the late golf patron Rod Feliciano.

First day leader Luis Castro skied to a 77 and fell to 221 while Korean Tom Kim matched par 72 but stood at 226 in a tie with Kevin Akbar, who carded a 74, and Weiwei Gao and Carl Corpus, who made identical 75s, in the tournament sponsored by the MVP Sports Foundation, Smart, PLDT and Metro Pacific Investment Corp. and Cangolf and serving as part of the PLDT Group National Amateur Golf Tour.

Superal, meanwhile, virtually nailed the ladies crown despite a two- over 74, her 217 total putting her six shots clear of Harmie Constantino, who moved to second again with a 73 for a 223.

Bernice Olivarez-Ilas struggled with a 75 and dropped to third at 224 while Yuka Saso bowed out of title chase with a 76 and a 228 followed by Sam Martirez, who made a 76 for a 230.