DAVAO -- Lloyd Jefferson Go surged ahead of Ira Alido in a nail-biting finish, posting a two-under 70 to claim a two-stroke lead at the midway point of the ICTSI Palos Verdes Championship at Rancho Palos Verdes Golf and Country Club on Wednesday.
Go overcame a challenging start on the back nine with a strong performance on the front, making crucial saves on two critical holes and sinking two additional birdies to secure the solo lead at seven-under 137. This positions him just 36 holes away from potentially clinching his maiden victory on the Philippine Golf Tour.
Go pulls off par save off OB
Highlighting his round were a clutch par save off an out-of-bounds tee shot on the par-5 No. 1 and a lengthy birdie putt on No. 4, both of which Go credited as pivotal moments in testing conditions. Encouraged by his solid play, he expressed determination to maintain his momentum and capture the elusive win over the next two days.
Assisting him in his pursuit of the title is his mother-caddie Lily, whose presence offers both support and a lesson in patience for the young golfer.
Go, who is gearing up for a tournament in Japan next week, attributed his current lead to his short game prowess, emphasizing his ability to chip and putt effectively despite erratic drives.
“My target is to drive into the fairways but I hit it everywhere. So my short game really saved me, I chipped and putted well,” said Go, who also birdied Nos. 5 and 8 but holed out with a bogey on the last hole.
Alido, Que on the prowl
However, Go faces stiff competition not only from Alido, who carded a 71, but also from seasoned campaigner Angelo Que, who surged up the leaderboard with a strong performance in the latter half of the round to tie for second at 139 following a 72 on Tuesday.
Despite encountering challenges familiarizing himself with the course, Que found his rhythm on the front nine, stringing together a series of birdies to propel himself into contention.
“I was still trying to re-familiarize myself with the course, which I haven’t played in 20 years. I wasn’t sure which club to hit,” said Que of his first-round performance. “I had a good rest that’s why I played better today.”
Alido, aiming to rebound from a disappointing finish in the previous week's tournament, showcased resilience with an eagle and three consecutive birdies but faltered with back-to-back bogeys toward the end of his round.
With 36 holes remaining, several contenders, including Sean Ramos, Michael Bibat, and Keanu Jahns, remain in contention, setting the stage for an exciting finish to the 72-hole tournament organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.:
DAVAO – Siblings Lloyd Jefferson Go and Lois Kaye Go stayed on track of making history by surging ahead in the ICTSI Palos Verdes Championship at Rancho Palos Verdes Golf and Country Club on Wednesday.
They are attempting to achieve a first in Philippine golf history – win the men’s and women’s crowns of the same tournament.
LJ Go posted a two-under 70 to claim a two-stroke lead over Ira Alido while LK Go also led by two over Chihiro Ikeda after returning a 71.
LJ Go makes crucial saves
LJ Go overcame a challenging start on the back nine with a strong performance on the front, making crucial saves on two critical holes and sinking two additional birdies to secure the solo lead at seven-under 137. This positions him just 36 holes away from potentially clinching his maiden victory on the Philippine Golf Tour.
Highlighting his round were a clutch par save off an out-of-bounds tee shot on the par-5 No. 1 and a lengthy birdie putt on No. 4, both of which LJ Go credited as pivotal moments in testing conditions. Encouraged by his solid play, he expressed determination to maintain his momentum and capture the elusive win over the next two days.
Assisting him in his pursuit of the title is his mother-caddie Lily, whose presence offers both support and a lesson in patience for the young golfer.
LJ, who is gearing up for a tournament in Japan next week, attributed his current lead to his short game prowess, emphasizing his ability to chip and putt effectively despite erratic drives.
However, LJ faces stiff competition not only from Alido, who carded a 71, but also from seasoned campaigner Angelo Que, who surged up the leaderboard with a strong performance in the latter half of the round to tie for second at 139 following a 72 on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, LK Go appeared poised to widen her lead with a two-under card after 17 holes. However, she conceded a stroke on the par-4 No. 18, which Ikeda birdied from 16 feet, leaving Go with a two-shot advantage at 143.
Ikeda, with a two-birdie, two-bogey round resulting in a 72, maintained her second position with a score of 145, while young Laurea Duque secured solo third at 147, matching par 72. The challenging conditions, exacerbated by gusts on certain holes, proved taxing for contenders, causing some to struggle to sustain their momentum.
LK cautiously optimistic
Despite securing a two-shot cushion, LK remained cautiously optimistic, acknowledging the presence of strong competitors. "There are great players out there and anyone can shoot a good round tomorrow (Thursday)," she remarked.
Focusing on maintaining composure and adhering to her game plan, LK expressed her determination to handle the mounting pressure of the final 18 holes of the P750,000 championship.
"My goal is to be at peace with myself, where I am in my game, and try to commit to my swing changes and swing thoughts," she emphasized, aiming to rebound from a disappointing 10th place finish in her pro debut at the Apo Golf Classic last week.
The second-round scores:
MEN
137 – Lloyd Jefferson Go 67-70
139 – Ira Christian Alido 68-71, Angelo Que 72-67
140 – Sean Jean Ramos 67-73
141 – Michael Bibat 72-69, Reymon Jaraulla 69-72, Keanu Jahns 71-70
143 –Art Arbole 72-71, Russell Bautista 71-72, Aidric Chan 72-71, Randy Garalde 72-71
144 – Guido van der Valk 70-74
145 – Paul Echavez 71-74, Nelson Huerva 70-75, Kim Mingi 70-75, Yu Min Hyeok 78-67
146 – Jay Bayron 71-75, Fidel Concepcion 73-73, Rico Depilo 76-70, Albin Engino 71-75, Koji Inoue 73-73, Tony Lascuna 73-73, Ryan Monsalve 74-72, Emilio Panimdim Jr. 68-78, Mars Pucay 75-71, Nilo Salahog 75-71
147 – Ferdie Aunzo 75-72, Elee Bisera 73-74, Jelbert Gamolo 75-72, Francis Morilla 72-75
148 – Kim Tae Soo 75-73, Ivan Monsalve 72-76, Rupert Zaragosa 73-75, Marvin Dumandan 72-76, Dino Villanueva 71-77, Toru Nakajima 75-73
149 – Carlos Packing 78-71, Edmar Salvador Jr. 73-76, Collin Wheeler 75-74
150 – Arnold Villacencio 76-74, Jhonnel Ababa 76-74, Tom Marcelo 80-70, Kei Matsuoka 75-75
WOMEN
143 – Lois Kaye Go 72-71
145 – Chihiro Ikeda 73-72
147 – Laurea Duque 75-72
148 – Sarah Ababa 75-73, Harmie Constantino 75-73
149 – Florence Yvon Bisera 74-75
150 – Mikha Fortuna 74-76, Miya Legaspi 77-73, Marvi Monsalve 75-75
151 – Gretchen Villacencio 76-75
154 – Mafy Singson 83-71
155 – Rev Lizbeth Alcantara 77-78
157 – Annika Cedo 77-80
158 – Kristine Fleetwood 83-75
159 – Apple Jeen Fudolin 83-76
162 – Pamela Mariano 80-82
165 – Velinda Castil 80-85
170 – Lucy Landicho 81-89
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