O’ Toole paces Keyser by 2; Lascuña in hunt

American John Michael O’Toole birdied three of the last four holes to tally a five-under 67 and post a two-shot lead over South African Mathiam Keyser in the third round of the $60,000 ICTSI Luisita Championship in Tarlac City on Friday.

Banking on his hot irons and pinpoint putting, O’ Toole outgunned countryman John Catlin and defending champion Tony Lascuña in a backside shoot-out en route to a 54-hole total of 204, 12-under at Luisita Golf and Country Club.

Keyser, on the other hand, birdied Nos. 12, 16, 18 to salvage a 69 and a 206 total, towing Lascuña, who carded 71, and Catlin, who fired 69, by two strokes heading to the final 18 holes.

Halfway leader Micah Shin skidded with a 75 and a 211, seven shots off the pace like Miguel Tabuena, who rallied with an eagle-spiked 69, Jobim Carlos (69) and Japanese Toru Nakajima (70).

“My putting was terribly good,” said O’Toole. —ROY LUARCA