Que catches Nakajima in tough, blustery second round

SANTA ROSA, LAGUNA—Angelo Que shot a three-over-par 75 in another brutal test of golf Friday and caught Japan’s Toru Nakajima in the lead halfway through the P5-million The Country Club-Don Pocholo Razon Invitational here.

Que, a three-time Asian Tour champion, was at his best and tied Nakajima at 147, three-over-par and easily one of the highest halfway scores in the tournament’s history.

The 32-year-old Japanese said his 77 was “normal” over the windswept course, which has seen just one sub-par round and left some of the toughest players struggling and dumbfounded.

“Five-over is normal (in this course, in these conditions),” said Nakajima, whose 70 gave him the first-round lead on Thursday. “Yesterday was just too good.”

The beneficiary of a last-minute invite to the exclusive tournament along with two other foreigners, he made just one birdie and signed for six bogeys as blustery winds bedevilled the field anew.

Olympian and reigning Philippine Open champion Miguel Tabuena shot a day-best 74 to be just two shots behind.

Juvic Pagunsan, fresh off a runner-up finish in the rich Singapore Open, returned a second straight 75 marred by a string of bogeys on his last three holes to be three shots off the pace at 150, in a tie with Jonel Ababa, who shot a 78.

“This layout is really tough and it won’t make it easy for anyone,” said Que. “You have to fight for it, and I am happy with the way I played, considering the conditions and the pin placements.”