Thai golfer fires 67, leads PH Open by 4

by Waylon Galvez

STA. ROSA, Laguna – Polthai Tawit of Thailand took a four-shot lead after the opening round of the 101st Solaire Philippine Open after firing a flawless five-under par 67 Wednesday at The Country Club.

The 25-year-old Thai was the only player who ended the day without a bogey, highlighting his round with an eagle on the short par-5 No. 8 and three birdies.

“It was a factor that it’s not windy too much and I was able to hit solid shots,” said Polthai. “Everything is perfect I guess, I was able to get up and down because I tried to play shot by shot.”

Clyde Mondilla was among three players tied for second place after posting similar 71s.

Mondilla, still looking for his first Open title since turning pro seven years ago, collected three birdies against two bogeys.

“Mahirap talaga yung course, pero yung wind, meron pero hindi masyado,” said Mondilla, whose best finish in the Open was seventh in 2015. “Tingin ko OK naman yung round ko, ok yung putting.”

Also returning with 71 were Sudsom Charng-Tai of Thailand and Jack Sullivan of Australia.

Cookie La’O and Justin Quiban were among six players who finished in regulation as the home team took a beating.

Juvic Pagunsan and Angelo Que, the country’s 1-2 punch, struggled with identical 77s while last year’s Order of Merit winner Jobim Carlos retired after going 10-over after seven holes.

The leading scorers (Filipino if not stated):
67 – Polthai T. (THA)
71 – C. Mondilla, Sudsom C. (THA), J. Sullivan (AUS)
72 – C. La’O, J. Quiban, Chuenboonngam C. (THA). N. Fung (MAS), S. Gillis (US), D. Jordan (AUS)
73 – K. Jahns, Artjanawat W. (THA), Javanapong K. (THA), B. Munson (US), Sae Ueng N. (THA), Supupramai (THA)
74 – Duangdecha U. (THA), G. Jackson (ENG), Lepkurte K. (THA), Meesawat P. (THA), N. Paez (US), Saksansin P. (THA), P. Stojanovski (MAC)

75 – I. Alido, J.R. Lam, Kim J.H. (KOR), Panyathanasedh P. (THA), N. Park (AUS), Phongphun T. (THA), Tantipokhakul N. (THA)

76 – Chiu H. (TWN), Hsu L. (TWN), L. Keoninh (US), Nirat C. (THA), M. Pastor (ESP), Pookawanach K. (THA), J. Salah (US), G. Van der Valk (NED), S. Viitakangas (AUS)

77 – J. Pagunsan, A. Que, E. Arcillas, R. Depilo, R. Echavez, A. Lascuna, Plaphol C. (THA), Supupramai P. (THA), Swangarunporn P. (THA), G. Twyman (ENG), Winaicharoenchai A. (THA)