Quiban threatens within 2 after 68 in Yeangder TPC golf tilt

MANILA, Philippines – Justin Quiban kept his impressive play going, producing an eagle-spiked 68 to pull within two strokes off Aussie Travis Smyth halfway through the Yeangder TPC at the Linkou International Golf and Country Club in Taiwan Friday.

The ace Filipino shotmaker actually struggled a bit in an early tee-start after dishing out a stirring bogey-free 66 after in tough conditions in the afternoon group in the first round Thursday, mixing three bogeys against a double-bogey on No. 16. But he came through with a birdie-eagle feat from No. 3 then parred the rest for a 33-35 and a 36-hole aggregate of 10-under 134.

That shoved him from joint eighth to a share of fourth, just a couple of shots behind Smyth, who fired a solid 67 in one of the late flights to surge ahead at 132 for a one-stroke lead over Jack Thompson, also from Down Under, and India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar, who matched 133s after a 66 and 67, respectively.

After a 31-putt showing Thursday, Quiban, coming off a victory in last week’s South Pacific Classic of the Philippine Golf Tour, improved on his putting stroke and finished with 27, including four par-saves following an 11-of-14 stint off the mound and 13-of-18 off greens-in-regulation.

Micah Shin, who also campaigns on the PGT and winner of The Country Club Invitational in 2018, slowed down with a 69 after a 66 but stayed in the title hunt at joint 11th at 135.

Meanwhile, Lloyd Go shot a 69 for a share of 40th at 139 as he safely made the cut pegged at 141.

But Angelo Que could only match par 72 for the second straight day and failed to advance with a 144.