Record 64 puts Shin out front in Lipa

LIPA City—Micah Shin stood out among the many bright performers on Day 1 of the ICTSI Summit Point World 18 Challenge on Wednesday, firing a course record eight-under-par 64 to lead the Philippine Golf Tour Asia event here by a stroke.

Coming into the $100,000 event without much expectations after a mediocre effort two weeks ago, Shin started off his day with three straight birdies from No. 3 as the lanky Korean-American based in Davao took a one-shot lead over Donlaphatchai Niyomchon of Thailand.

The Robert Trent Jones-created layout was at the mercy of the talented field, as 43 players cracked par, with defending champion Joenard Rates also going bogey-free in a 68 that kept his repeat bid on track.

“I have not been playing well lately and came here
just trying to get back my feel,” said Shin, who shared 12th place in the South Pacific Classic in Davao and tied for 18th in the CAT Open at Luisita last week following a long campaign abroad.

Niyomchon charged back in one of the late flights with four birdies at the back for a 65, with Joe Knox of England, who shot a 30 in his opening nine holes, winding up with a 66.

Fil-German Keanu Jahns, who finished second to Tony Lascuña in the ICTSI Apo Classic three weeks ago, also rallied with four birdies in his last seven holes to shoot a 67 and tie Aussie Jack Lane-Weston, Japanese Rio Morio, American Brett Munson and reigning Philippine Open champion Clyde Mondilla.