Justin Quiban rips field with 2nd 64, leads by 7

BACOLOD, Philippines — Justin Quiban put his shot-making and putting skills on display against two unfancied rivals early on and nearly doubled his four-stroke lead with a solid 64 to all but wrap up the ICTSI Bacolod Golf Challenge crown at the Bacolod Golf and Country Club here yesterday.

Four straight birdies from No. 2 put Quiban practically beyond reach at 14-under and the 22-year-old former amateur hotshot added two more birdies to complete a bogey-free round of 30-34 for a whopping seven-stroke bulge over Jay Bayron at 16-under 194.

It was his second straight six-under card at the tight par-70 Binitin layout which he continued to dominate with solid driving and iron play.

“The hot start was part of my mindset today  wanted to have this kind of score at the front nine to ease the pressure coming home and also to put the burden on those rallying behind,” said Quiban, who could’ve stretched his lead further if not for muffed birdie putts inside four feet on Nos. 13 and 15.

Bayron spiked his third straight 67 with a chip-in eagle on the par-5 No. 15 but the PGTA Southwoods winner last month still stood too far behind at 201 with 18 holes to play in the P2.5 million tournament.