Quiban fights back, pulls within 3 after 70

MANILA, Philippines – Justin Quiban blew an early two-under card with a spate of bogeys but birdied two of the last seven holes to salvage a 70 and remain at joint fifth in the third round of the Asian Tour Qualifying School Final Stage now paced by Junggon Hwang in Hua Hin, Thailand Thursday.

Hwang sparkled with a seven-under 65 at the Springfield Royal Country Club course as he took over with a 204 from fellow Korean and erstwhile leader Jeunghun Wang, who slowed down with a 72 and slipped to joint second with Spain’s Carlos Pigem, who fired a 67, at 205.

Impressive with his 69-68 rounds at Lake View and Springfield layouts, respectively, Quiban looked poised to crowding the Koreans on top with birdies on Nos. 2 and 5, also at Springfield. But the PGA Tour veteran bogeyed the next two holes, gained a shot on No. 8 but conceded another stroke on the ninth.

The three-time Philippine Golf Tour winner, however, toughened up at the backside as he birdied the par-5 No. 12 for the second straight day then broke a run of pars with another birdie on the last long hole on No. 18 for a 36-34.

He pooled a 207 for a share of fifth with five others, including former PGT Asia campaigner John Caitlin of the US, who carded a 69, just three strokes off the new leader with 36 holes left in the five-round elims for Asian Tour cards.

Only the Top 70, from the surviving field of 140, will move to the final 18 holes with the Top 35 to be ranked accordingly for the 2024 season.

Meanwhile, Lloyd Go bolstered his bid for a regular Tour card with a three-under 68 at Lake View, improving from a share of 100th to joint 72nd at 214 while Sean Ramos shot a 70, also at Lake View, for a share of 78th place at 215.