Birdie binge gives Shin 4-shot edge

TARLAC, Philippines – Micah Shin produced a tournament-best seven-under 65 for a four-shot lead over erstwhile leader Tony Lascuña in the third round of the Central Azucarera de Tarlac Open at the Luisita Golf and Country Club here yesterday.

The Davao-based shotmaker, whose lean frame belies his power off the tee, rattled off eight birdies, including four straight from No. 3 to overhaul Lascuña’s overnight one-shot lead. He then held sway at the back to string a 31-34 card for a four-shot cushion at 12-under 204 heading to the final round of the P2.5 million event sponsored by ICTSI.

“I played well. Everything’s in place, especially my putting,” said Shin, who sparked his birdie-spree with a 19-footer on the par-3 second and went on to gun down seven more against a missed green bogey on the par-5 12th.

The 19-year-old ace has put in strong starts in recent legs of the circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. only to crumble at the finish, keeping him winless until he put together one near-perfect round under preferred lies rule to get a clear shot at a first-ever championship.

“I have to maintain this kind of game in the final round,” said Shin, who tied for fourth at Splendido Classic where he slugged it out and lost to Lascuña in the final round. He also shared third place at ICTSI Riviera Classic won by Jay Bayron in a playoff with Clyde Mondilla and tied for ninth at Aboitiz Invitational, also ruled by Bayron.

Lascuña didn’t fare bad either, besting flightmates Ferdie Aunzo and Dutch Guido Van der Valk with a second straight 70 but his “drive for five” hit a snag in the face of Shin’s fiery round as the four-leg winner dropped to second at 208.

“My game is quite okay but I could’ve scored better if not for my missed putts, including four that lipped out,” said Lascuña, who hit just three birdies against a bogey on the seventh. “I need to attack tomorrow (today) and shoot a seven-under to win.”

Mondilla, meanwhile, worked his way up to clinch a spot in today’s championship flight, carding a 68 and putting himself in contention for a fourth leg win with a 209 while Marvin Dumandan also struck back with a 68 for a 210.

Cassius Casas likewise bounced back from a pair of 72s with a five-under 67 and Elmer Salvador atoned for his second round 77 with a 66 as they tied Bayron, who made a 71, at 211, seven strokes off the pace.

But focus will be on Shin, who birdied No. 8 to go five-under against Lascuña’s 35 to wrest control. He sustained his charge at the back with birdies on Nos. 11, 14 and 15 inside six feet against a bogey on No. 12 of the par-72 layout hosting an ICTSI-sponsored leg for the second time after the Luisita Championship won by Lascuña last April.

“We’re happy to host two tournaments every year in partnership with ICTSI, PGTI and Central Azucarera de Tarlac,” said Jeric Hechanova, general manager of the club listed as one of the best 100 golf courses outside of the US by Golf Digest. “It’s a rare opportunity to get the pros play together in a tournament like this.”