Korean teen grinds out a 68 to reclaim Masters lead

South Korean teen Hyun Ho Rho

South Korean teen Hyun Ho Rho put a bogey-riddled back nine behind by holing out for eagle on the par-5 18th for a four-under-par 68 to reclaim the lead heading into the final round of the ICTSI Villamor Philippine Masters in Pasay City on Friday.

A day after returning a horrendous 75, Rho drilled a 256-yard 3-wood to within 2 feet of the hole for that tap-in eagle and a 210 aggregate that was good enough to hold off Angelo Que by a stroke after the former PH Open champ fired a 70.

“I was really straight off the tees,” Rho said of his 34-34 effort over the military controlled, tree-lined layout where he had all three of his bogeys in a five-hole stretch from No. 12. “I made a few bogeys on the back nine but managed to finish strong.”

In search of a maiden pro win, the 19-year-old is still tempering expectations of himself going into the final round.

“As much as I like to play aggressively, I’m just going to enjoy the moment. Regardless of the outcome, I’ll accept it,” he said. but I’ll give my best and enjoy the game,”

LJ Go also carved out a 68 to be two shots off the pace, with second round leader Ryan Monsalve, another Philippine Golf Tour rookie, losing a lot of ground after shooting a 73 to now be three strokes behind.

Daiya Suzuki of Japan also made a quiet ascent to contention after his version of a 68.