Hichman takes S’woods lead

CARMONA, Cavite—American Christopher Hichman fired a five-under-par 66 on Wednesday and held off hard-charging local aces Angelo Que and Juvic Pagunsan for the 36-hole lead in the $100,000 ICTSI Manila Southwoods Championship.

Hichman had six birdies against a bogey to take a 131 aggregate into the money rounds with Que lurking another shot back after a 67 and Pagunsan going bogey-less in a 63 that put him just two off the pace.

Opening round leader Tim Stewart of Australia scrambled for a 70 to be tied with Pagunsan, with Clyde Mondilla, Jay Bayron and Justin Quiban having 134s after rounds of 68, 68 and 69, respectively.

Miguel Tabuena, the Olympian playing his first event after a back injury, struggled to shoot a 72 to be nine shots adrift.