Carlos wrests lead; Superal nears crown

Jobim Carlos. Photo from Inquirer Golf

JOBIM Carlos fired a five-under-par 67 Thursday and shoved all pretenders aside, rallying from six shots down overnight to take a one-shot lead over Japan’s Yuto Katsuragawa going into today’s final round of the 21st W Express RVF Cup Amateur golf championship.

Carlos gunned down four birdies in the back nine of tree-lined Canlubang North in Laguna for a 54-hole 213 aggregate as the 16-year-old Katsuragawa, the reigning club champion at nearby Southwoods, skied to a 74 to be a shot down.

Meanwhile, Princess Superal moved on the verge of a seventh straight title despite slowing down with a 74, as no one was able to gain significant ground with the reigning Philippine Ladies champion now six shots up.

Harmie Constantino shot a 73 for 223, with Yuka Saso, the Filipino-Japanese teen, firing a 75 to be seven behind Superal.

The men’s championship will go down to a virtual match play between Carlos and the long-hitting Katsuragawa.

Justin Quiban, a member of the national pool, shot a third-round 73 to be four back, and first-round leader Luis Castro stumbled with a 77 for 221.

Lester Lagman, representing the Veterans golf course in Quezon City, scored the second ace in the event after holing an 8-iron tee shot on No. 15. He wound up shooting an 80. Musong R. Castillo