Winning Song: Korean keeps Quiban, Ramos at bay

CARMONA, Cavite — Young South Korean wonder Minhyuk Song continued his relentless assault on a second Asian Tour title, padding his overnight lead to seven strokes and practically putting away the 108th Philippine Open title presented by the Philippine Sports Commission on Saturday at Manila Southwoods.

The 22-year-old, who took command after flirting with a 59 on Friday, hit four birdies in his first 10 holes on the way to a five-under-par 65 on Saturday for a 54-hole 195 as now focused on putting the finishing touches on a dumbfounded field that could get no closer than six strokes when he made his way to the closing nine.

“I think I will sleep better tonight,” the baby-faced Song, who broke through in the Maekyung Open in his native Korea earlier in the year, told reporters through an interpreter.

“I had a good round, actually tried to shoot another 10-under for the second straight day,” Song said with a laugh, referring to his 60 in the second round that had him zooming to a four-shot lead over Sarit Suwannarut of Thailand, who now trails the Korean by seven despite firing a 68.

The Philippine challenge, which was whittled down to eight after the halfway cut on Friday, is now at a distant nine and 10 strokes behind, respectively, after gallant efforts from Justin Quiban and Sean Ramos, who returned a 65 and a day-best 64, in that order, to come knocking at a top five finish.

Jeongwoo Ham is the second Korean in the top three after firing a 66 to be a shot behind Suwannarut, even as Sarut Vongchaisit of Thailand is tied with Quiban after a 68.

“This could really be very special,” Song said when reminded of the prospect of winning for the second time this year. “It would be very good to win again, and even more special because of the history of this tournament.”

After going on a hot stretch in his first nine on Friday that had him going seven-under in five holes, Song worked methodically in the third round with the only blemish on his card coming on the 11th when he three-putted.

Otherwise, it was a workmanlike display of finesse and some aggression as he attacked whenever the opportunity presented itself. Song missed just four greens but saved par on all. He needed just 27 putts to navigate the Masters layout even if conditions changed because his group started out in intense heat before rains came in their final five holes.

Song could still go down as one of the youngest winners of Asia’s oldest national open, even if Larry Montes, who won the first of his recorded 12 PH Opens in 1929, holds the record for being the youngest at 16 that year.

No other player other than the leader was able to make a move on moving day as fancied bets like Micah Shin struggled to shoot a 76 to bow out of the fight.

Pavit Tangkamolprasert, who leads the Order of Merit race over Travis Smyth of Australia, is clinging on to No. 1 spot--and the automatic DP World Tour slot that goes with it--after shooting a 69 that got him back to level 210, just two shots behind Smyth.