Carlos grabs 1-shot Philippine Am lead

JOBIM Carlos put himself in perfect position for a first national title by shooting a two-over-par 74 on another tough day at the Philippine Amateur Stroke Play championship yesterday to wrest a one-shot lead over Rupert Zaragosa heading into today’s final round.

The 21-year-old Carlos, a scholar of the MVP Sports Foundation at University of San Francisco, pieced his game together on the back nine of the Aoki course of Eagle Ridge that has played tough the last two days for a 217 total.

Zaragosa actually matched Jobim’s 74 and stayed on track for yet another national title at 218. A victory here would enable the pint-sized wonder to hold both the men’s and boys’ national titles for the second time in his career.

Second-round leader Alvin Hiew of Malaysia crashed back to earth with a loud thud, practically bowing out of contention after an 84 left him with a 226.

Cebu Country Club ace LJ Go fanned the dying flames of his repeat bid with a level 72 for 222, just five shots behind.

Carlos had a two late bogeys for 39 on the front nine and rued several missed opportunities.

“I was fine until those late bogeys,” said Carlos, who came closest to winning this event in 2011 when he lost by 11 strokes to Korean Wang Jeung-hun. “The pin placements were difficult and birdies were hard to come by.”

Former boys’ champion Park Min-ung of South Korea carded a day-best 70 for 225, in a tie with Singapore’s Marc Ong, who ballooned to an 80 as the winds swept away the chances of many.

The women’s division also toasted a new leader with Korean Oh Chae-yu shooting a 74 for 228, a stroke ahead of the brightest local bet, Miya Legaspi.

Legaspi fired a 77 and was tied with Thai Manuschaya Zeemakorn (80).

Second-round leader Samantha Bruce of the Philippines stumbled with an 83 for 231 like Korean Hwang Min-jeong, who returned an 80.