Korean leads with solid 66 in ICTSI Caliraya Springs Championship opener

CAVINTI, Laguna – Given the chance to shine, Tae Soo Kim seized the moment, upstaging a field of renowned rivals with a solid six-under 66 and snatching a one-stroke lead over a late-charging Dino Villanueva at the start of the ICTSI Caliraya Springs Championship here Tuesday.

Granted a spot in the Philippine Golf Tour event through a Category 7 position after a joint 36th finish in the recent PGT Qualifying School, Kim displayed exceptional skill amid challenging weather, utilizing his precise driving and adept putting to secure the unexpected lead.

“I didn’t expect (to lead), especially since I struggled to hit par during practice round,” said Kim, reflecting on his modest expectations following missed cut stints in the circuit’s first two legs in Davao.

Despite wet conditions early on, Kim’s consistent fairway hits were key to his standout performance after 18 holes of the P2.5-million championship sponsored by ICTSI.

“I hit a lot of fairways with my solid driving,” said the 19-year-old from Seoul, who also excelled on the tricky surface of the Arnold Palmer-designed course, overcoming the day’s early showers by birdying Nos. 14, 16 and 18 in a strong backside start.

“My short putts were off but somehow, the long ones just found their way,” added Kim, who also gained strokes on Nos. 1, 5 and 8.

Villanueva, in hot pursuit with a strong finish for a 67, positioned himself just a stroke off Kim, highlighting his round with three birdies in the last five holes to negate a lone miscue on the par-5 No. 12 due to a flawed bunker shot and a missed putt on the unreceptive greens that demanded patience.

But the leaderboard is tightly packed with Sean Ramos, Angelo Que and Guido van der Valk matching 69s for third, and Aidric Chan, Keanu Jahns and Clyde Mondilla carding identical 70s for a share of sixth.

Rico Depilo, Eric Gallardo, Francis Morilla and Frankie Miñoza all shot 71s to make it a crowded leaderboard in the third leg of the 10-stage circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. and supported by Kampfortis Golf, the PGTI’s official apparel.

Ramos also started out strong, taking advantage of ideal conditions to birdie three of the first three holes in