ICTSI Q-SCHOOL: Japanese amateur seizes lead

MANILA, Philippines—Amateur hotshot Yuto Katsuragawa sustained his fine form and upstaged the pros, carding a two-under 70 to seize a two-stroke lead over erstwhile Korean joint leaders Seo Hyeong-dae and Lee Seong-ki three rounds through the PGT Qualifying School at Eagle Ridge’s Aoki course in Cavite Thursday.

Katsuragawa, who swept the low amateur honors in the last four legs of last year’s ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour, kept the momentum of his second-round 71 with a 34-36 card, spiked by three birdies on the first seven holes.

With a 217 total, the young Japanese threatened to take low-medal honors over Seo and Lee, who struggled to a pair of 73s for 219 in the 72-hole tournament that offers 20 slots to this year’s ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour.

Korean Lyu Hyung-suk matched Katsuragawa’s 70 and tied first-round leader Toru Nakajima of Japan, who matched par 72, at 220 while amateur Korean Kim Tae-woo carded a 73 to join Japanese Toru Morita, who also had a 73, at sixth at 222.

Another Korean amateur, Seon Jun-gyu, shot a 75 and Kim Min-su turned in a 76 as they shared 19th place at 232.

Korean Lee Sang-un and Japanese Yuki Kishida had 233s after a 77 and 80, respectively, while Korean amateur Jun Chang-ju, American Daniel Inocencio and Korean Kim Chang-hoi all had 234s after similar 80s. Woo Seong-bin stayed in the hunt with 235 after a 75.

This year’s pro circuit will kick off at Valley Golf next month.