Korean am upstages ace pros, leads with 67

SILANG, Cavite, Philippines — Korean amateur Tom Kim proved steadier than the elite pros who wavered at the finish coming off another hour-long weather delay, birdying two of the last four holes for a 67 and a two-stroke lead over Clyde Mondilla in the third round of the ICTSI Riviera Classic here yesterday.
The 16-year-old Kim bogeyed the 18th at resumption of his second round play early morning for a 69 but flashed steely nerves as he fought back from three shots down with a five-birdie, one-bogey stint in the pivotal round to find himself the leader at seven-under 206.

That was two strokes clear off Mondilla, who matched par 71 at the completion of his second round play late Thursday and kept his two-shot lead intact with a frontside 34 before limping at the resumption of third round play with three bogeys against a birdie in the last eight holes.

He wound up with a 72 and dropped to second at 208 while Michael Bibat, who threatened with two off Mondilla with a solid second round 65, also bogeyed the par-5 16th and slid to third at 209 with the two pros expected to gang up on the young Kim in today’s final round for a shot at the top $17,500 purse.

Marvin Dumandan shot his third straight 70 and stayed in contention at 210 although the former club pro stood four strokes behind Kim, winner of last year’s Phl Junior Amateur Open crown.

Charles Hong also followed up his second round 68 with a 69 as the former ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour winner tied Dumandan at fourth while Dutch Guido Van der Valk fired the round’s best 66 to gain solo sixth at 212 heading to the last 18 holes of the $100,000 championship serving as the third leg of the inaugural PGT Asia Tour sponsored by ICTSI.

Tony Lascuña carded a second 71 for joint seventh with Erwin Arcillas, who shot a 69, at 214 while erstwhile contender Ira Alido stumbled with a five-over card for a running two-over overall with two to play.