Jung seizes 4-shot lead at PGT qualifying

LAUREL, Batangas — Jaehyun Jung powered his way to a brilliant eagle-spiked five-under 67, seizing a commanding four-stroke lead at the halfway point of the Philippine Golf Tour Qualifying School on Wednesday at Splendido Taal Golf Club.

Amid gusty winds and the challenges of the rolling par-72 layout, Jung’s combination of power, precision iron play, and solid putting set him apart. His performance on the par-5 holes was especially impressive, as he finished with a six-under 138 total (71-67).

After an opening-round 71 that left him tied for third, two strokes behind leader Ji Sung Cheon, Jung set the course ablaze early on. He eagled the par-5 No. 2 and followed with three straight birdies starting at No. 5. He added birdies on Nos. 9 and 11 before a brief stumble, back-to-back bogeys on Nos. 13 and 14. Jung recovered, parring the remaining holes to maintain his lead.

Despite the late hiccup, Jung’s 67 gave him a four-stroke advantage over Cheon, who bogeyed two of the last three holes to shoot 73, totaling 142.

Carl Corpus, who birdied the first two holes and added more birdies on Nos. 10 and 12, posted a 72 for a 143 total, securing third place, five strokes behind Jung.

“It was a strange day. The wind was stronger in the morning, and I had to play conservatively and constantly check the wind,” said Corpus, the top Filipino contender.

Ivan Monsalve, who impressed with a 70 in the first round, struggled with a 79 and dropped to provisional 13th place at 149. However, he remains within the Top 60, securing a spot for the final two rounds.

Local amateur Jhondie Quibol shot 74 for a share of seventh at 147, alongside Atsushi Ueda, who stumbled to a 76. Chris delos Santos rebounded with a 71, tying for ninth at 148.

Other players in the mix for the final rounds include Toru Nakajima, Paul Echavez, Gab Manotoc, and Kota Fukuyama, with several local hopefuls still in contention. The projected cut is set at 13-over 157.