American John Michael O’Toole fired a nine-under 63 Saturday and wrested a five-stroke lead over Thais Pasavee Lertvilai and Seungjae Maeng halfway through the PGT Asia Tour (PGTA) Qualifying School at Luisita Golf and Country Club course in Tarlac.
Counting his opening 69, O’Toole took charge with a 12-under 132, leading 79 others out of the 110-player starting field from 17 countries into the final two rounds of the event which stakes 60 slots plus ties to the inaugural PGA Asia Tour.
Lertvilai rallied with three birdies in the last four holes as he fired a 67 for a 137 in a tie with Maeng, who co-led in the opener with Swede Fredrik From and shot a 69.
From shot a 71 after a 68 and slid to fourth at 139 in a tie with Keanu Jahns, who shot a 70. Ira Alido turned in a 71 for joint sixth with Swede Andreas Gronkvist, who made a 69, at 140.
Rey Pagunsan carded a 72 as he joined Korean-American Micah Shin (69) at 141. Anthony Fernando also tallied a 72 to tie American James Bowen (70) and Korean Lee Ho Youn (71) at 10th at 142.