Australian Andrew Campbell shot two eagles en route to a seven-under-par 65 on Wednesday as he led the early charge of foreign bets in the $100,000 CAT (Central Azucarera de Tarlac) Open at Luisita Golf and Country Club.
Campbell also birdied the two other par-5s to post a two-stroke lead over Swede Oskar Arvidsson and relegate the local pros to the background.
Unheralded campaigners Etter Kris, Benjie Magada and Rolando Marabe shared third spot with 69s.
Propped up by his power drives, Campbell set up the eagle putts with superb iron play—the first from 20 feet out on No. 9 and the other from about a foot on No. 12. He added six birdies that more than made up for his three missed-green bogeys for a 32-33 card.
“I really hit good drives today (Wednesday). The fairways were in great shape and I was able to take advantage by placing shots where I wanted them,” said Campbell.
But Arvidsson, making his debut in the region’s newest circuit, is within sight at 67.
Tony Lascuña, winner of the last PGTA leg at Wack Wack, recovered from a three-over card after three holes with five birdies to tally a 70 in a tie with six others, including PGTA Riviera titlist Clyde Mondilla.
Bunched with them were Singapore’s Choo Tze Huang, Charles Hong, Justin Quiban, Joenard Rates and Gerald Rosales. Thai Wisut Artjanawat led a big group at 71.