Aussie takes command at Southwoods after a 63

CARMONA, Cavite—Tim Stewart knocked down all of his nine birdies inside his final 12 holes on Tuesday to shoot an eight-under-par 63 and take a one-shot lead over Charles Hong after the opening round of the $100,000 ICTSI Manila Southwoods Championship.

The complex Legends layout was at the mercy of the big-hitting Aussie, who rattled off six straight from No. 7 to come home in 30 and give an indication of how low-scoring this tournament could be.

Hong had eight birdies in a 64 even as Angelo Que and Justin Quiban fired 65s to be in a six-man group that included American Lexus Keoninh trailing Stewart by just two.

Reigning Philippine Open champion Clyde Mondilla mixed seven birdies with a double bogey on the easy fourth hole to shoot a 66 and be in the company of Rufino Bayron, Michael Bibat and long-time Philippine resident Guido Van Der Valk of the Netherlands in rounding out the top 10.

“I was on target most of the time. It was an incredible feeling. Overall my driving and irons were near perfect and my putting was impressive,” said Stewart. “I just need to sustain this kind of game for the next three days.”

Que was the best-placed among the country’s Big Four, with Olympian Miguel Tabuena shooting a 68, Juvic Pagunsan having just three birdies in a 70 and reigning Order of Merit champion Jobim Carlos shooting himself in the foot with a 76.

Defending champion Jay Bayron, slowed by three bogeys, opened with a 73.