In bagging low medal honors, Chan shows pro-ready stuff

Aidric Chan just showed why he’s ready to play for pay.

The former Manila Southwoods standout on Friday returned a four-under-par 68 and snatched low medal honors in the Philippine Golf Tour Q-School, towing 29 others joining the regular members into a 10-leg season that starts next week at demanding Apo Golf in Davao.

“My game has really been peaking lately and I feel everyone has been a part of the journey,” said Chan, expressing gratitude to his family and God, as he makes his much-awaited pro debut over the tree-lined layout that will be one tough test.

Davao native Kuresh Samanodi faltered with a 75 on the final day to finish second three shots behind even as former national team member Ryan Monsalve also earned his card and will play as a pro after finishing tied for 25th, 22 strokes off the pace.

A total of 13 foreigners, counting Andrew Proctor of the United States, and longtime tour participant Toru Nakajima of Japan made the grade.

Sophomore pro Kristoffer Arevalo, the former junior world champion, also safely made it after playing his final three rounds at two-under-par. He opened up with a 79 on Tuesday but cracked par in the middle two rounds before closing with a 75 to be just nine shots off the low medal score.

Japan’s Daiki Ueda won the last slot after a 71. —Musong R. Castillo