BAGUIO – When Pinewoods finally showed its teeth, Lloyd Go responded with his best golf.
After capitalizing on calm conditions in the opening round disrupted by several fog delays, Go showed he could thrive when the course turned brutally difficult, firing the day’s only under-par round – a five-under 67 – to blow the ICTSI Pinewoods Challenge wide open, storming away by nine strokes over Jeffren Lumbo after 36 holes at Pinewoods Golf and Country Club on Wednesday.
Everyone struggled – except Go.
READ Precision, patience key as touring pros take on Pinewoods test
Fresh off a two eagle-laden opening 64 that gave him a three-shot cushion despite having no prior competitive experience on the course, the Cebuano ace displayed an even more impressive performance under brutal conditions. After a birdie-bogey exchange from No. 2, he caught fire in the middle stretch with six birdies over nine holes, offsetting another miscue on the 16th for a brilliant 32-35 card.
His two-day total of 13-under 131 not only tripled his overnight advantage over Lumbo but also underscored the sharpness of his game on a course that demanded precision, patience and composure.
"I think I played better today," said Go, whose 67 came despite shooting three strokes higher than his opening-round 64. "But the wind was so strong today, so overall, I think my game was better today than yesterday."
Seeking his second Philippine Golf Tour title following his breakthrough victory at Palos Verdes in 2024, he remains wary of the final 36 holes despite his commanding position.
"I'll try to play my best," said Go of his approach for the last two rounds.
Lumbo salvaged a 73 with birdies on the final two holes but still slipped nine shots behind at 140, while Korean Lee Song carded a 74 to move into solo third at 144, and Russell Bautista matched par with a 72 for fourth at 145.
Rupert Zaragosa shot a 75 for 146, while Fidel Concepcion followed his opening 70 with a disappointing 77 to drop to 147.
Clyde Mondilla, whose albatross-spiked 69 had put him among the early contenders, limped home with a 79 and tumbled to a tie for seventh at 148, now 17 shots behind Go. Joining him were Atsushi Ueda and Ha Taewon, who shot 72 and 76, respectively.
Veteran Tony Lascuña failed to recover from an opening 74, carding a 75 for 149, but advanced after the cut was set at 154. Also making it through at 149 were Eric Gallardo (75), Randy Garalde (77), Zanieboy Gialon (78), Mars Pucay (75) and Dino Villanueva ( 76).
Que makes cut - but barely
Keanu Jahns rebounded from an 80 with a 72 to climb to a share of 28th at 152, while Caliraya Springs leg champion and reigning Order of Merit winner Angelo Que recovered from a 77 with a 76 to squeeze into the final two rounds at 153 at joint 34th.
The cutline reflected just how punishing Pinewoods had become.
Catching the last tickets to the final 36 holes were Jeremy Tandoy (75), GJ Katigbak (76), Boni Salahog (76), Marvin Dumandan (77), Jhonnel Ababa (78), Yoshizawa Ichiru (83) and amateur Jed Dy (78).
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