JAPANESE PRECISION: Ikemura cards 67, posts 1-shot lead in Phl Open

CARMONA, Cavite — Japan’s Tomoyo Ikemura birdied his final hole to salvage a three-under-par 67 on Saturday, securing a one-shot lead heading into the final round of the $500,000 Smart Infinity Philippine Open on Saturday.

Two Filipinos remain in contention, with mathematical chances of victory following contrasting rounds at the Masters course of Manila Southwoods.

Ikemura, a two-time winner on the Japan Tour, looked to be cruising after going five-under-par through his first 11 holes, becoming the first player to reach double digits under par at 10. However, his round took a turn with a wet, three-putt double bogey on No. 12, followed by another dropped shot on the 15th.

Despite the setbacks, his birdie on the final hole helped him finish with a 54-hole total of 202.

“I will just try to find more fairways (in the final round) and hopefully putt better,” Ikemura said through an interpreter, discussing his strategy for the final round, where he will try to fend off Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana — who is two shots back — and Filipinos Justin Quiban and Miguel Tabuena, who trail by four and five shots, respectively.

“I had some unlucky bounces today,” Ikemura added. “I hope to be lucky tomorrow and win my first Asian Tour event.” Kaewkanjana, the Thai golfer who led after the first two rounds, showed impressive resilience despite a rough start.

He went five-over-par on his first nine holes but rallied with birdies on the final two to post a 72, bringing his total to 203.

Another Thai player, Danthai Boonma, shot a course-record 62 with eight birdies, putting him at 204 and leading a six-man group that includes Quiban and Tabuena. Quiban, who struggled early, battled back with a 69 after a rocky start.

“I couldn’t hit it in the center of the face all of the front nine,” said the 28-year-old, who birdied two of his last three holes.

“I just fought it out and started hitting it (driver) better.”

His 206 aggregate leaves him with a strong chance for a comeback on the final day.

Tabuena, 30, ended his round with a flourish, birdieing his last four holes to shoot a 65.

The former Asian Tour winner is optimistic about his chances, saying, “Definitely. Five shots is still manageable. I will just have to have a good start (in the final round) and see where I’m at after about eight holes.”

Tabuena, known for his comebacks, made one of the most dramatic in 2023, erasing a five-shot deficit to win his third Asian Tour title in India with a final-round seven-under-par 65.

Aidric Chan and Sean Ramis also remain in contention, shooting rounds of 69 and 70, respectively, to sit six shots off the lead heading into the final day.