Christopher Hichman, Angelo Que take 1-2; Juvic Pagunsan makes move

CARMONA, Cavite, Philippines — Lefty Christopher Hichman stayed right on track for a big debut on Philippine Golf Tour Asia, bucking the wind and tough pin placements to shoot a 66 and seize a one-stroke lead over an equally focused Angelo Que halfway through the ICTSI Manila Southwoods Championship at the Legends course here.

But it took the 25-year-old Hichman seven holes to get going again, very much like in the first round where he closed out with three birdies in a row at the front that anchored his 65 in one of the late flights. He birdied Nos. 8 and 9 then added three more at the back for a 66.

That put the three-year journeyman, who had vied in PGT Tour Series-China, PGA Tour South America, Canadian Tour and Thailand Tour before trying his luck in the region’s emerging circuit, on top of the heap at 11-under 131, with Que just a stroke behind at 132.

But looming large again, for the nth time, is Juvic Pagunsan, who recovered from a mediocre 70 start with a sizzling bogey-free 63 anchored on hot putting as the region’s former No. 1 jumped from joint 33rd to fourth at 133, just a couple of strokes off the pace with first day leader Tim Stewart of Australia, who slowed down with a 70.

But the Jack Nicklaus-designed layout, which yielded 47 under par scores Tuesday, proved a lot tougher in blustery conditions with a number of pre-tournament favorites missing the 50-plus ties cut at 143. They included last year’s winner Jay Bayron (71-144), first leg winner at Luisita Namchok Tantipokhakul of Thailand (73-144), multi-titled Tony Lascuña (74-144) and reigning PGT Order of Merit winner Jobim Carlos (75-151).

Hichman and Que, who endured a late first round start to shoot a pair of 65s, came through with superb iron shots that set up a number of birdie chances with the former, who posted a top five finish in the Sanya Championship of the PGA Tour Series-China in Haikou last April, gunning down five of the last 11 holes for a couple of 33s and an 11-under 131.

Que, who had taken a break from his Japan PGA Tour campaign to join the title hunt in this $100,000 event serving as the third leg of the third season of the Philippine Golf Tour Asia, hit three birdies in the first six holes at the back then overcame two bogeys with three more birdies, the last on the ninth that capped a 34-33 card for a 132.