Jung Seizes Four-Shot Lead With Eagle-Spiked 67

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LAUREL, Batangas – Jaehyun Jung dominated Splendido Taal Golf Club with an eagle-spiked five-under 67, surging to a four-stroke lead midway through the Philippine Golf Tour Qualifying School on Wednesday.

While the rest of the 112 hopefuls battled gusty winds on the rolling par-72 layout, Jung showcased his power, precision, and putting. His near-flawless execution, particularly on the three par-5s, placed him atop the leaderboard at six-under 138.

Jung, who opened with a 71 to tie for third with Carl Corpus and Atsushi Ueda, two strokes behind Ji Sung Cheon, ignited his second round early. He eagled the par-5 second hole and followed with three straight birdies from No. 5. He added birdies on Nos. 9 and 11 to solidify his lead.

Just when he seemed in full control, the course struck back, forcing him into back-to-back bogeys from No. 13. He steadied himself, closing with pars for a 30-37 round and a two-day total of six-under 138.

Despite the late stumble, Jung pulled four strokes clear of Cheon, who birdied two of the last five holes to salvage a 73 and a 142 total.

“The course is relatively short but tricky. You really have to be precise with your tee shots,” said the 19-year-old Seoul native, who dominated the long holes. On the par-5 No. 2, he crushed a 3-wood off the tee, followed by a 7-iron from 198 yards, landing the ball 20 feet from the hole before sinking the putt for eagle.

Jung credited his putting for the difference between his first and second rounds.

“Definitely, it was my putting,” he said. “In the first round, I carded a 71 in the morning wave, but today, my putting was much better. Swing-wise, my game felt similar, but my putting made all the difference.”

He also thrived in the afternoon’s windy conditions, with precise approach shots setting up three consecutive birdies from No. 5. However, he admitted struggling on the back nine.

“I actually struggled with the wind there. It kept changing direction a lot,” he said.

Making his debut attempt at securing a PGT card, Jung remained confident.

“I’m feeling pretty confident with my game right now, and I hope this momentum continues,” he said.

Corpus birdied the first two holes and picked up additional strokes on Nos. 10 and 12, offsetting bogeys on Nos. 5, 7, 13, and 15 to card an even-par 72 for a 143 total, five shots behind Jung.

“It was a strange day. The wind in the morning was much harder, swirling unpredictably. I had to play conservatively and constantly check the wind, even at the last minute,” said Corpus, the best-placed Filipino contender.

Dan Cruz overcame the wind at dusk, firing three straight birdies from No. 5 and closing with another on No. 18 to turn a three-over card into a 71, jumping to solo fourth at 146.

Ivan Monsalve, who impressed with an opening 70, struggled with a 79, slipping from joint second to 11th at 149. Despite the setback, he remained within the top 60 and ties, ensuring a spot in the final two rounds.

Amateur Jhondie Quibol posted a 74 for a share of fifth at 147 with Hayaski Yuto, who turned in a 73, and Ueda, who dropped to a 76. Chris delos Santos rebounded with a 71 to secure a place in the final 36 holes at 148, tying for eighth with two-time Q-School winner Toru Nakajima, who carded a 72.

Paul Echavez and Gab Manotoc, who shot 73s, and Kota Fukuyama, who fell back with a 75, tied Monsalve at 10th place alongside Belem Arancon (76).

Other local hopefuls advancing to the final two rounds include Rey Pagunsan (77-150), Angelo Anzuris (74-152), Emilio Panimdim Jr. (75-153), Anthony Fernando (79-154), Godofredo Sinfuego (76-154), Airon Sorino (74-154), GJ Katigbak (81-155), James Ryan Lam (78-155), John Michael Uy (78-155), amateur Paolo Wong (76-155), Danilo delos Santos (79-156), Christopher Popp (74-156), and Kuresh Samanodi (73-156).

Sixty-two players advanced, with seven barely making the cut at 157, including Luis Bagtas (72), Reynante Manulat (75), Richard Sinfuego (75), Lee Song (76), Ian Vergara (77), Min Myung Kang (78), and amateur Jose Javier Lazatin (80).

The elimination rounds, organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc., will determine the top 30 players who will earn PGT tour cards for next week’s season opener at Pradera Verde in Lubao, Pampanga.