Minhyuk Song of South Korea delivered an outstanding performance at the 108th Philippine Open, held at Manila Southwoods, where he shot an impressive 10-under 60. This remarkable round included a hole-in-one and solidified his position at the top of the leaderboard.
Beginning his day on the back nine of the Masters course, Song quickly found his rhythm. By the time he reached the 14th hole, he had already begun a remarkable seven-under stretch that propelled him to a total score of 130 after 36 holes. His opening round score had equaled par, setting the stage for a spectacular improvement on Day Two.
Song's closest competitor is Thailand’s Sarit Suwannarut, trailing by four strokes with a score of 134 after a round of 63. Another Thai golfer, Sadom Kaewkanjana, follows closely behind at 135 with a score of 67. Song’s ascent from a tie for 26th to a commanding lead showcases his ability to perform under pressure.
The turning point for Song came with a pitch-in eagle on the par-4 16th hole. He further ignited his round with a stunning hole-in-one on the 184-yard par-3 17th, where his ball made an impressive roll down into the cup after landing just five yards from the pin.
Despite his dream-like performance, Song had a chance to score even lower. After reaching the green in three on the par-4 9th, he ultimately settled for par, narrowly missing the opportunity for a rare 59.
Song highlighted the significance of his birdie on the 15th hole, which had recently been shortened from a par-5 to a par-4. Hitting an unexpected shot from a bunker approximately 15-20 yards from the pin, he managed to secure a birdie that set the tone for the remainder of his round. His jubilant reaction emphasized the thrill of the moment, which he described as almost unbelievable.
As for the local players, Lloyd Jefferson Go emerged as the leading Filipino contender, improving his position from a tie at 26th place to the 15th with a two-under 68, totaling 138 after two rounds. Go expressed his ambition to win the national open and emphasized his game plan of staying on the fairways to attack the flags during the final rounds.
Joining Go in the weekend rounds are seven other Filipino golfers, including Justin Quiban, who is currently tied for 18th with a score of 139. However, former champion Angelo Que was unable to progress, finishing just one stroke short of the cut after an even-par performance in Round 2 following a challenging opening round of five-over.
Frequently Asked Questions
What score did Minhyuk Song achieve in the second round of the Philippine Open?
Minhyuk Song scored a remarkable 10-under 60 in the second round.
Who is trailing Minhyuk Song in the tournament standings?
Sarit Suwannarut from Thailand is trailing Song by four strokes with a score of 134.
How did Lloyd Jefferson Go perform in the tournament?
Lloyd Jefferson Go moved up to 15th place with a score of 138 after a two-under 68 in the second round.
Reporting by Joey Bengzon for Rapport Philippines. This report was prepared from available source material and reviewed for factual consistency. Further verified updates will be added as the newsroom receives them.