Forest Hills seizes opening day spotlight

BAGUIO City—Forest Hills drew subpar rounds from three stalwarts Tuesday and took the spotlight away from Manila Southwoods, opening up a seven-point lead over the defending champions at the start of centerpiece play in the Fil Championship division of the 68th Fil-Am Invitational here.

With former US NCAA standout Jude Eustaquio shooting a six-under-par 63 worth 42 points, Forest Hills amassed a first round 153 over the short but tricky Camp John Hay layout that left Southwoods, which won by 88 points last year, in its wake.

Iñigo Raymundo shot 40, the youthful Dan Cruz had 37 and Forest Hills counted the 34 of Rocky Co as the team braces for a second day charge by the Carmona-based squad over the same well-manicured course. Inigo, Cruz and Eustaquio had eagles in their first round cards.

Southwoods didn’t play that bad, drawing 40 from Paolo Wong and 37 from Tom Kim, with Carl Corpuz and the veteran Jun Jun Plana counting with 35 and 34, respectively, for 146.

Mizuno X1R pooled 127 built around the 32s of Justin Tambunting, Brixton Aw and King Stehmeier and it would need a truly big second round to stay in contention with the final two days to be played at demanding Baguio Country Club.

“[W]e need to play better (in the second round),” Eustaquio said after an eagle on No. 1 that went with six birdies against two bogeys. “You don’t win tournaments in the first day.”

Southwoods official Thirdy Escano gave credit where it was due, but maintained that this fight was far from over.