Foreign bets share ICTSI Luisita lead
TARLAC – South African Mathiam Keyser and American John Catlin produced identical six-under 66s to share the lead at the start of the $60,000 ICTSI Luisita Championship at the Luisita Golf and Country Club here yesterday.
Keyser, 30, capped a five-under card in the front nine with an eagle while Catlin rebounded from a bogey on the third hole with seven birdies to open a one-stroke lead over Americans Brett Munson and John Michael O’Toole.
“Overall, I played pretty well. Everything is okay – putting, irons and short game were simply good. I hope to keep it going until the last round,” said Keyser, a veteran of the Asian Tour.
Keyser set up the eagle on the par-5, No. 9 with a solid 4-iron approach from 236 yards to within 15 feet.
Korean-American Micah Shin, who won the CAT (Central Azucarera de Tarlac) Open here last September, fired a 69 for solo fifth.
Tony Lascuña didn’t fare bad with a 70 for a share of sixth with six others.
They included compatriot Ferdie Aunzo and Jobim Carlos, Aussies David Gleeson and Nathan Park, and Americans Lexus Keoninh and Nicolas Paez.
Keyser was seven-under through 13 holes before making two bogeys against another birdie in the last five holes.
Clyde Mondilla shot a 71 to join Rufino Bayron, Albin Engino, Jelbert Ga- molo, James Lam, Mars Pucay, former Phl Open champ Gerald Rosales and Elmer Salvador, along with Americans James Bowen and Sam Chien and Japanese Toru Nakajima and Hosho Takahashi, and Korean Kim Sung Wook at 13th.
The top 50 plus after 36 holes will advance to the final two days.
Lewton, the reigning Philippine Open champion, blew a two-under card with three bogeys in the last four holes and ended up with a 73.
Also with 73 was Miguel Tabuena, a two-time winner at Luisita.