Manotoc, Hirotaka gain share of lead in ICTSI South Pacific opener
DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Gab Manotoc finally delivered the kind of opening-round performance that could propel him into the Philippine Golf Tour spotlight. He fired a bogey-free six-under 66 Tuesday to catch Japan’s Kashihara Hirotaka at the top in the ICTSI South Pacific Classic at the South Pacific Golf Club here.
Long seeking to establish his own identity on the circuit while stepping out of the shadow of his illustrious father, Tommy Manotoc, Gab produced a timely surge on the front nine, rattling off five birdies to turn a modest start into a course-record-tying round.
Hirotaka, meanwhile, capitalized on virtually windless conditions during his early start, catching fire on the front nine before negotiating a few rough patches on the way home to reach six-under first. Manotoc faced tougher conditions in the afternoon heat but stayed composed, finishing without a bogey to match the Japanese veteran’s output.
The pair’s opening-round scores equaled the course record from the gold tees, previously set by Rico Depilo, Tony Lascuña and Clyde Mondilla in earlier PGT tournaments. Amateur Chris Remata holds the outright benchmark with a 64 in last year’s Mindanao Amateur Open.
Manotoc credited his disciplined play and improved putting surfaces for helping him capitalize on his scoring opportunities.
“My game was pretty good today. I had no bogeys and six birdies. I left myself in good positions on the greens and trusted my lines,” said Manotoc, whose best finish in four years on the PGT is a tie for fifth at Valley Golf in 2023.
“The greens have improved compared with previous years. It’s not necessarily easier, but there are more makeable pars, and I was fortunate to find good spots and hole some putts,” he added.
The 28-year-old has been consistent enough to make the cut in all eight of his previous starts this season, but a tie for 12th in Negros Occidental remained his best result entering the ninth leg of the circuit. He also finished runner-up to Angelo Que in a playoff in a separate professional tournament at Pradera Verde.
Despite his strong start, Manotoc was reluctant to make predictions about his chances, preferring to keep his attention on his game rather than the leaderboard.
“I’m not really expecting anything. I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing,” he said. “I’ve been hitting it pretty decently. I felt my putter was a little cold last week at Pueblo de Oro, although I actually played well.”
Manotoc said he had to remain patient early in the round before finding his rhythm on the greens.
“I started a bit slowly. I hit good shots on Nos. 11 and 12 but couldn’t make birdie until No. 16. Then my putter started heating up on the front nine,” he said. “I hit it pretty well, kept things straightforward and didn’t have to save par.”
While Manotoc and Hirotaka emerged as the day’s early pace-setters, a crowded pack of challengers also made their presence felt in the P2.5-million tournament organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.
With three rounds remaining, the opening-day scoring pointed to another wide-open title chase, as emerging talents, seasoned campaigners and established winners positioned themselves within striking distance. The punishing heat could further test the field as the week unfolds.
Mondilla, seeking redemption after a final-round collapse at Pueblo de Oro, closed strongly with three birdies in his last four holes on the front nine to shoot 67 and join Russell Bautista and Lee Song at third, just one stroke off the lead.
Sean Ramos showed little sign of fatigue after competing overseas in Macau, carding a 68 just two days after completing his stint there. He shared sixth place with Ivan Monsalve, Marvin Dumandan and amateurs Jacob Rolida and Miguel Ilas.
Defending champion Jeffren Lumbo made an early statement of his own, holing out from a pitch for an eagle on par-4 No. 9 – the same hole where he beat Bautista in a dramatic five-hole playoff last year – to salvage a 69 and join Aidric Chan, Fidel Concepcion and Jonas Magcalayo for joint 11th.
Several other contenders remained within reach. Iloilo leg winner Jhonnel Ababa was among five players who carded 70s, while Pueblo de Oro champion Rupert Zaragosa and Negros Occidental winner Art Arbole were among eight players sharing 20th place at 71s.
The performances of Manotoc and Hirotaka stood out in a season in which neither player had made a serious run at the top of the leaderboard. Manotoc had been a model of consistency without a breakthrough finish, while Hirotaka’s limited PGT appearances yielded a tie for 13th at Summit Point and 33rd at Caliraya Springs, with a missed cut at Pinewoods.
For Hirotaka, 34, the opening 66 was an encouraging step in his search for a first breakthrough in a decade as a professional.
“I was just very lucky,” he said, recalling his birdie on the par-5 second, where a solid drive set up a four-iron from 210 yards that left him within seven feet of the hole.
Hirotaka said the heat did little to disrupt his rhythm.
“I played very well despite the heat. The weather didn’t affect my game. It was also hot in Japan, so I was able to play without any problems,” he said.
Still, he was careful not to read too much into his position after the opening round, choosing instead to focus on maintaining the same approach over the next 18 holes.
“If you miss the green here, it’s quite difficult, so I always try to hit the greens in regulation and make the most of my birdie chances,” he said. (Pool story)
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