TARLAC – Jhonnel Ababa fired a bogey-free 68 while Jobim Carlos birdied four of the last seven holes to share the clubhouse lead at the start of the $100,000 CAT (Central Azucarera de Tarlac) Open at the Luisita Golf and Country Club here yesterday.
Ababa bucked shaky putting to turn in another superb Philippine Golf Tour Asia outing, banging in a pair of birdies from short range on both nines, including on the tough No. 17, while Carlos, the new PGT Order of Merit winner, turned what had appeared to be a wobbly stint halfway through with a strong finish as they took charge in the morning group with half of the 106-player starting field still to complete play at presstime.
Michael Bibat also toted a four-under card after 12 holes but bogeyed the next and settled for a 69 in a tie with American Tarik Can, one of the invited players from other regional tours, and former leg winner Rene Menor while Jun Bernis eagled the par-5 12th to share provisional seventh place at 70 with Keanu Jahns, Efren Robles Jr. and Nilo Salahog.