The Philippine golf team dropped into a three-way tie for third place at the 31st Nomura Cup on Wednesday, September 2, after posting a combined 146 in the second round at the Bayhood No. 9 Golf Club.
With an aggregate score of 288, the Filipino squad now shares third place alongside China and reigning champions Vietnam, trailing tournament leader Hong Kong-China by 10 strokes heading into the final 36 holes.
Eighteen-year-old Shinichi Suzuki rebounded from an uncounted opening round to lead the Philippines with an even-par 72. Suzuki hit 14 greens in regulation but struggled to capitalize on the fast putting surfaces.
“Today wasn’t our day,” Suzuki remarked. “But there’s still a lot of golf to be played and anything is possible with God on our side.”
National Stroke Play champion Jet Hernandez turned in the second counted score for the country with a 2-over 74, while Rolando Bregente recorded a non-counting 75 after a triple-bogey on the par-3 fourth hole hindered his scorecard.
“(The team) talked about the deficit and we’re still confident that we can make something happen,” Hernandez noted. “I don’t think any of us have played to what we are capable of yet.”
Despite the second-round bump, the team remains focused on mounting a comeback as they target the nation’s maiden crown in the Asia-Pacific team championship.
“None of us really played well, which gives me the confidence that we can turn things around with two rounds left,” Bregente expressed in Filipino. “Anyone of us can have a really good day, we just have to work hard for it.”
Hong Kong-China maintained its position at the top of the leaderboard with a 278 total, powered by Ethan Tian’s second-round 67. Japan holds second place at 284 after recording its second straight 142.