Micah Shin builds four-shot lead at ICTSI Apo Golf Classic

DAVAO CITY — Micah Shin shrugged off a shaky back-nine start with a timely birdie-par-eagle finish before sustaining his momentum on the front nine of Apo Golf and Country Club to card a four-under 68 Wednesday, Oct. 28, and tighten his grip on the ICTSI Apo Golf Classic.

Armed with a four-shot cushion and 36 holes left to play, Shin turned what had shaped up as a wide-open title battle into a potential runaway, capitalizing on his talent, overseas-honed skills and intimate knowledge of the demanding layout where he developed and sharpened his game.

Still, two rounds do not make a champion, and Shin knows the job is far from finished. But with his game holding firm under pressure and his course familiarity working to his advantage, the Korean-American has put himself in prime position to capture another Philippine Golf Tour (PGT) crown and close out the regular season in emphatic fashion.

Shin, who ruled the season-opening The Country Club Invitational, the PGT’s flagship event, last January, assembled a 10-under 134 halfway total to pull clear of the field and put himself on course for a second major statement on the local circuit.

The ICTSI Apo Golf Classic, which offers PHP 2.5 million in prizes, is the final regular-season leg of the PGT before the season-ending Match Play Invitational in November.

“I think if I just hit it well, I have a really good chance,” said Shin when asked about his chances after two rounds. “Yeah, I mean, it’s my home course, so it feels comfortable.”

“Today was actually worse than yesterday, but I got some lucky breaks and made some really good par saves,” he added, highlighting how his composure proved just as crucial as his power in keeping the chasing pack at bay.

“I thought I wasn’t putting too well, but I actually made a few putts, including some long ones. So I wouldn’t say I putted poorly, but yeah,” said Shin.

His strong performance left his pursuers struggling to keep pace, with last week’s South Pacific winner Clyde Mondilla firing a second straight 69 for solo second at 138 and Sean Ramos turning in a three-under 69 for a 139 total.

Longshots Jeremy Tandoy and Kim Tae Soo matched 70s to share fourth at 140, while Jeffren Lumbo and Collin Wheeler carded identical 71s to join Russell Bautista, who shot an even-par 72, at 142.

Negros leg winner Art Arbole carded a 70 to tie Angelo Que and amateur Alex Bisera, who matched 71s, for ninth at 143.

Last week’s low amateur Jacob Rolida and 2024 champion Jhonnel Ababa posted matching 72s for 144 totals as 45 players made the cut at 152, including Keanu Jahns, who struggled to a 79.

Starting at No. 10, Shin parred his first two holes before an up-and-down stretch threatened to undo his early advantage. He traded bogeys and birdies in a roller-coaster run from No. 12, allowing Mondilla and Ramos to close within one shot and briefly putting the tournament leader under pressure.

But rather than let the early stumbles dictate his round, Shin regrouped, steadied his game and struck back when it mattered most.

A birdie on the 16th sparked his charge, setting the stage for a spectacular eagle on the par-5 18th that restored his momentum and gave him breathing room as the heat intensified and the wind began to influence play on several holes.

“It was like the wind was going to the left, so I was just trying to hit it right and then let the wind take it left and maybe get in the middle or kind of get a shortcut. I had about 230 yards left for my second shot and the wind was going slightly left again and hit my 4-iron. I was I was just trying to hit it in the middle green, which I did and made the putt from around 15 feet,” said Shin, recalling the decisive shot that set up his eagle.

The back-nine finish underscored Shin’s ability to make the most of his biggest advantages: distance, precision and familiarity with Apo’s contours. Even after surrendering strokes early, he refused to back down, turning a vulnerable stretch into a springboard for another strong round.

His commanding position is particularly significant at Apo, where the previous two editions of the tournament were decided in sudden-death playoffs.

Poised to take control, Shin remained cautious about his chances, admitting that despite feeling confident, he had to rely on his course management to get through a challenging round.

“I wouldn’t say no, but at the same time, I don’t want to say yes,” he said. “I was feeling pretty confident, but like I said, I didn’t really hit it too well today. I just managed the round really well and got through it.”