Fil-Am, Sokor set Q-School pace at Splendido
Ivan Yabut, who holds a master’s degree from A&M Texas University and is giving a career in pro golf another shot, fired a five-under-par 67 on Tuesday to share the lead with South Korean Lee Song after the first 18 holes of the Philippine Golf Tour Qualifying School at Splendido in Laurel, Batangas.
After failing to secure cards in the Asian Tour and Korn Ferry Tour, Yabut sees the PH circuit as the most logical destination, the stepping stone to greater things, as he plays close to family here.
“It was a very easy decision,” Yabut, who played the layout 13 times prior to the tournament, said when asked what made him play in the Philippines. “I have plenty of family here in the Philippines who have helped support me, and it’s easier for me to travel around with them.”
Yabut, who plays for the United States, mixed an eagle, six birdies, a double bogey and a bogey in carving out a 34-33 effort, even as Lee was flawless in a similarly eagle-aided 33-34. The duo held a three-shot lead over Eric Gallardo and were another stroke ahead of Japan’s Miki Ryoma.
Ivan Monsalve and Davao native Kuresh Samanodi matched par like American Charles Lee as the bending layout showed its teeth with the likes of former Q-School medalist Toru Nakajima of Japan shooting a 79.
Only 30 full cards will be up for grabs at the end of the 72-hole event as the new season of the ICTSI PGT gets going the following week, the first of 10 events for the year that will carry total prize money of at least P2 million each.
Yabut and Lee lead a total of eight foreigners in the top 12, as a total of only 11 Filipinos are in the top 27 heading into the second round on Wednesday.
