Kim fires 63 for two-shot lead at Pueblo de Oro

CAGAYAN de Oro—South Korean teener Kim Joo-hyung gunned down six of his 11 birdies in a flawless back nine on Thursday to shoot a nine-under-par 63 and seize a two-shot lead over countryman Lee Song after 36 holes of the ICTSI Pueblo de Oro Championship here.

The 16-year-old hit five of those in a string from No. 11 to polish off a 33-30 effort that again put him in the mix for a breakthrough title, towing the talented field with a 132 aggregate as overnight leader Jobim Carlos slowed down with a 71 to be three shots off.

Lee was also bogey-free in carving out his 68 for 134 with Johvanie Abaño shooting a 70 to be another two shots behind and reigning Masters champion Jessie Balasabas also shooting a 70 to be at 138 like Elmer Salvador and Park Jun-sung, the third Korean in the Top 10.

Salvador shot a 68 and Park a 71.

“Every birdie putt I stroked found the hole. I have never been this confident with my putting as before,” said Kim, who last played for Manila Southwoods as an amateur in the PAL Interclub earlier this year.

He needed just 24 putts in the second round.