Manila-based Dutchman resets record, grabs lead

Guido Van der Valk zooms to the lead.

LUBAO, Pampanga—Guido Van der Valk charged back from way down at 35th to the top of the heap with a new course record in as many days, churning out an eagle-spiked eight-under 64 to grab a one-stroke lead over Keanu Jahns and Thai Tawit Polthai halfway through the ICTSI Pradera Verde Classic here on Thursday.

After a two-over 74 Wednesday, the Manila-based Dutchman hit a pitch-in eagle to kick off his backside bid then recovered from a bogey mishap on No. 11 with seven birdies to take charge at six-under 138 as the erstwhile leaders stumbled with over par cards.

Van der Valk’s 31-33 also bested Andreas Gronkvist’s 66 that netted him the first round lead. The Swede lost his touch and hobbled with a 74, dropping to third with Mars Pucay and Thai Namchok Tantipokhakul at 140 in the $100,000-event serving as the eighth leg of the second season of the Philippine Golf Tour Asia.

“I played really good. Everything’s in place, especially my irons and putting,” said Van der Valk, who saw his wedge shot from 60 yards disappear into the cup on the par-4 No. 10.

Jahns looked headed to seizing control with a five-under card after 14 holes for a running seven-under but the Filipino-German shotmaker bogeyed Nos. 6 and 7 for a 69 and a 139, which Polthai matched with a 66.