Cebu’s Hong climbs to 2nd spot in ICTSI golf

CEBUANO golfer Charles “Chuckie” Hong remained in contention for his second professional title as he fired in an even par 72 for a 142, good for second place after the second round of action in the ICTSI Sherwood Hills Classic in Trece Martirez, Cavite.

With erstwhile leader Jay Bayron self-destructing with an 82 after a first round score of 68, Hong kept his composure as he shot in three birdies against just one bogey in the first seven holes of the back nine but finished on a down note with consecutive bogeys for a 72, just two strokes behind Miguel Tabuena, who had a three-under 69.

Tabuena turned in a stellar round, birdying three of the last five holes to storm in front at 140. The 18-year-old shotmaker’s blistering windup also silenced flightmates Mhark Fernando and Toru Nakajima, who battled him in a birdie-binge in the last nine holes.

The Japanese qualifier overcame a double-bogey mishap on the 10th with three birdies in row from No. 13 but dropped a stroke on par-3 16th before holing out with another birdie for a 70 and a 143.

Fernando, on the other hand, hit two birdies in the last six holes to card a 71 and 145 in a tie with Orlan Sumcad and Jun Bernis, who had 74 and 71, respectively. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio