Shootout looms for Southwoods, Forest Hills

BAGUIO CITY—Manila Southwoods braces for a shootout with Forest Hills as the final half of the 68th Department of Tourism Fil-Am Invitational starts Friday at demanding Baguio Country Club here.

The defending champions go into the third round protecting a slim four-point lead, and with the par-61 layout sure to test every player, no lead is safe in the centerpiece Fil Championship division.

“The target is to score as close to 36 points (level par) as much as possible,” Southwoods nonplaying skipper Jerome Delariarte said after the only rest day on Thursday. “We have to play well. No lead is safe out here (at BCC).”

Forest Hills took the limelight away from Southwoods in the opening round at nearby Camp John Hay but lost a seven-point lead when the Carmona-based squad returned four under-par cards for an eye-popping second round 155.

Unlike at John Hay, scores are not expected to be low at BCC, and it will actually be a battle for survival out there with the greens smaller and slower and the up-and-down trek around the course to take its toll on the players.

Meanwhile, Batangas Barakos practically put the Fil A title in the bag on Thursday despite 97 third round points, as they take a 27-point lead over Team Surigao with a 367 total.

San Miguel pooled a day best 107 and zoomed to third spot, three points behind Surigao.

In Am A play, Royal Northwoods shot 115 points at John Hay and took a three-shot edge over Tiyo Paeng with a 316.