By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Albin Engino and South Korea’s Hyun Ho Rho surprised their competitors with impressive 65s to secure joint leadership in the opening round of the ICTSI Bacolod Golf Challenge at the Bacolod Golf and Country Club on Tuesday, October 15.

Engino delivered a powerful back-nine performance.

His round, punctuated by consecutive birdies inside 12 feet, saw him card a 34-31 for a five-under-par round on the tight par-70 layout.

Rho made a quick impact with four birdies, including a string of three from the third hole.

Despite a lone bogey on the back nine, the young and aggressive Korean golfer maintained his momentum, adding two more birdies to tie Engino at the top.

“I didn’t expect to lead since there are many strong players, but I did my best,” Engino said in Filipino.

“My driving, iron play and putting were all solid, so I just waited for the birdies to come,” he added.

For his part, Rho was pleased with his strategy.

“I tried to be aggressive and just enjoy myself,” Rho said.

“There’s nothing to change in my approach. I’m going to keep attacking and, hopefully, make more putts,” he added.

Tom Marcelo, another lesser-known contender, was poised to take the first-round lead after reaching five-under with three holes left to play.

But a 45-minute lightning delay halted his momentum, causing him to bogey the par-3 No. 8 on a three-putt miscue and finish with a 66, dropping him to joint third.

Meanwhile, Jiwon Lee returned to impressive form with an eagle-aided 68 to take an early one-stroke lead over Daniella Uy in the women’s competition.

Starting her round on the more challenging backside of the par-70 Bacolod Golf and Country Club, the 16-year-old Korean fired a birdie on the 12th hole and followed it up with a stunning eagle on No. 14.

“I hit a great drive, then holed it from 105 yards out,” Lee said of her eagle.

“I thought it would be close, but my caddie told me it went in,” she added./ASC, WDJ