Japanese expat shows way

DASMARIÑAS, Cavite—Japanese expatriate Yuto Katsarugawa capped a four-under 68 Monday with an eagle at the last to take a two-stroke lead after the first round of the Philippine Amateur Open Match Play Championship at Orchard’s Player course.

The Cavite-based Katsuragawa, 16, overcame the sizzling weather with three birdies going out and went 4-under with back-to-back birdies from the 11th hole.

He cushioned bogeys on Nos. 14 and 17 with a finely struck second shot from 200 yards to within 8 feet for his eagle on 18.

The two-day stroke play phase will determine the pairings for the match play.

Wei Wei Gao and South Korean Park Min-ung turned in matching 70s while Orchard golf director Raymond Sangil and Lanz Uy shared fourth with 72s in the event staged by the National Golf Association of the Philippines and primarily sponsored by the MVP Sports Foundation and Alveo.

Ira Alido and Edgar Oh posted 73s, one ahead of Brian Kim, Aidric Chan, Kristoffer Arevao and Joshua Ho who all carded 74s.

Harmie Constantino shot a 67 to pace womens’ play by seven over Nikki Bruce  and 11 over Korean Hwang Min-jeong.