Forest Hills posts 7-shot edge

MANILA, Philippines — Jude Eustaquio fired an eagle-spiked six-under 63 worth 42 points as Forest Hills put up a whopping 153 to open a seven-point lead over reigning champion Manila Southwoods at the start of the Fil-Championship of the 68th Department of Tourism Fil-Am Invitational golf tournament at Camp John Hay Golf Club in Baguio yesterday.

Iñigo Raymundo also sizzled with 40 points from a four-under 64 card highlighted by an eagle on the par-4 No. 2 while Dan Cruz and Rocky Co added a 37 and 34, respectively, to underscore the Antipolo-based squad’s solid start in the premier division of the 72-hole championship presented by San Miguel.

Marc Lu’s 31 didn’t count.

Southwoods, which posted a record 88-point romp last year, pooled a 146 and will be hard-pressed to chase their Forest Hills rivals in the next three days, the last two at the shorter but tricky Baguio Country Club on Friday and Saturday. 

Paolo Wong turned in a bogey-free four-under 65 worth 40 points but could only draw a 37 from Joo Hyung Kim as Carl Corpus and Junjun Plana struggled with a 35 and 34, respectively. Aidric Chan failed to count with a 25.

Royal Northwoods stood too far behind at third at 131 as Luis Castro and Richard Joson shot identical 34 points and Carlo Villaroman added a 33 and Nik Gatmaytan chipped in a 30 while Mizuno X-1R groped for a 127 on Justin Tambunting, King Stehmeier and Brixton Aw’s identical 32 points and last week’s seniors champion Rodel Mangulabnan’s 31 markers.

Eustaquio fueled Forest Hills’ surge with a six-foot eagle putt on the par-5 opening hole after a monster drive left him with just 115 yards for a wedge shot.