Foreign invasion marked the first round of the $60,000 ICTSI Luisita Championship in Tarlac Wednesday.
South African Mathiam Keyser and American John Catlin carded six-under 66s at Luisita Golf & Country Club to post a one-stroke lead over Americans Brett Munson and John Michael O’Toole, who both tallied 67.
The 30-year-old Keyser rode on an eagle-spiked frontside charge to pull ahead but wavered at the finish for a 31-35 card while Catlin recovered from a bogey on No. 3 with seven birdies, including two of the last three.
“Overall, I played pretty well. Everything is okay—putting, irons and short game were simply good. I hope to keep it going until the last round,” said Keyser.
Korean-American Micah Shin, winner of the Central Azucarera de Tarlac Open here last September, leaned on a 33 start to fire a 69 for solo fifth in the four-day event that features five Philippine Open champions.
Defending champion Tony Lascuña settled for a 70 as the reigning Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit winner bogeyed the par-3 17th and shared fifth place with six others. —ROY LUARCA