In-form Jobim Carlos blitzes way to top with 69

DAVAO, Philippines — Jobim Carlos, enjoying top form following a breakthrough at Riviera, put in a superb three-under 69 in calm conditions and lined himself up for another crack at the crown halfway through the P3 million ICTSI Apo Golf Invitational here yesterday.

Though he barely grabbed a one-stroke lead over a gutsy Nilo Salahog and went two-up over Ramil Bisera and Joenard Rates, Carlos heads to the final 36 holes brimming with confidence with a slew of unfancied bets in the next six rungs and the tour’s top guns failing to mount their vaunted charge at the difficult Apo Golf and Country Club course.

“I had no problem with my game today (yesterday). Everything’s in place,” said Carlos, who birdied all but one par-5s and whose five-under 139 put the former amateur hotshot on track for a follow up to his PGT Asia victory at Riviera three weeks ago.

“But you have to be extra cautious because the fairways are narrow and the greens are tricky,” added Carlos, who bogeyed No. 2 but birdied four of the next 16 inside 15 feet to storm ahead of the stellar international field.

Crowding him in the third round are players probably as surprised as the rest but eager to prove their worth for a rare stab at the crown worth P550,000 in the third leg of this year’s Philippine Golf Tour put up by ICTSI.

Salahog, just one behind first round leader Park Jun Sung of Korea, actually fell farther back with two bogeys in the first 10 holes but gunned down two birdies in the last three to salvage a 72 and stay just one shot behind Carlos at 140.

Bisera, a veteran campaigner never to seriously contend for a crown in a long pro career, also fell by as many as five with a three-over card after 15 holes. But the local bet birdied the last three holes for a 72 and tied Rates at 141.