Nakajima humbles local aces, storms ahead with 70

SANTA ROSA, Laguna, Philippines – As the big guns practically fired blanks, a Japanese first-timer emerged virtually unscathed on the challenging, wind-swept course of The Country Club and took charge of the stellar field.

Making the most of his rare stint in the TCC Invitational-Don Pocholo Razon Memorial Cup, Toru Nakajima turned in the day’s only sub-par card – a two-under 70 – to steal the thunder from the fancied bets for a two-stroke lead over Jhonnel Ababa and three-time winner Angelo Que.

The 32-year-old Nakajima teed off last and came out on top of the elite 30-player field on the new-look course that proved as tough as hyped for its length and the wind that saw majority of the local aces, including five of the six winners of what has been considered as one of the country’s premier championships, fumble with over-par scores on a breezy day.

“In this kind of course, which is very difficult and long, anything can happen so I’m just happy I shot under-par for the day,” said Nakajima in Japanese through Fil-Japanese pro Artemio Murakami.

Nakajima is one of the three foreigners given last-minute slots in what used to be an all-Filipino P5 million event. The two others are Dutch Guido Van der Valk and Japanese Ryoma Miki, who all finished among the top 30 in last year’s ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit ranking.

“I’m happy to be able to play in this tournament so I’m enjoying it,” said Nakajima. “I’ll continue to take it shot by shot and see what happens.”

While majority of the select field stumbled at the backside of the Tom Weiskoph-designed layout, Nakajima came through with two birdies that anchored his impressive opening round in the event put up by ICTSI chairman and president Ricky Razon in 2003 to honor the memory of his father, ICTSI founder Don Pocholo.

Que, gunning for a record fourth title here, and Ababa, who fueled his charge with an eagle on No. 10, turned in identical even par 72s on the 7,710-yard course while five shots adrift at 75 were three-time winner Juvic Pagunsan, Justin Quiban, Olympian Miguel Tabuena and Arnold Villacencio.

One shot farther back at 76 were veterans and former winners Tony Lascuña and Frankie Miñoza at four-over while Miki shot a 77.

“Given the tough course and condition, I’m happy with my 76,” said Lascuña, winner of five events in last year’s ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour. “It will all depend on the ranking after the third round.”

Ababa, meanwhile, sneaked in after a forgettable frontside stint marred by back-to-back double bogeys on Nos. 4 and 5. He clawed back with a bogey-free backside charge, spiking it with an eagle on the par-5, 550-yard No. 10 and birdies on 12, 17, and 18 inside six feet

“Maganda ang tira, ang driving grabe, simula ng 10 grabe talaga,” said Ababa, who added he decided to just “enjoy” everything after the first nine holes.

He refused to get carried away by his good round heading to today’s second.

“Hindi natin masabi, mahirap ang course, mahangin, ang green matigas, sobrang haba,” he said.

Cassius Casas, winner of the inaugural of this event in 2003 and in 2014 before the TCC underwent a major facelift, shot himself in the foot with a 44 after nine holes and wound up with an 81 in a tie with Michael Bibat, Rufino Bayron and Jerson Balasabas.

Still, anything can happen in the next 54 holes with playing condition expected to get worse during the weekend.