JAPANESE Yudai Suzuki took full advantage of an early start and romped off with a brilliant backside charge, putting in a solid six-under 64 to find himself the bewildered clubhouse leader in the first round of the ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic on June 19, 2019 in Bacolod.

A virtual newbie, this being only his second tournament on the Philippine Golf Tour, Suzuki rattled off four birdies at the back then added two more on his frontside finish to seize an early three-stroke lead over Argentinian Emilio Parodi with half of the starting 105-player field still to complete play as conditions turned from hot to rainy in the afternoon.

“I didn’t play good in Danao because I was out of focus,” said the 29-year-old pro from Osaka, referring to his missed cut stint in the Club Filipino de Cebu Invitational two weeks ago. He skipped last week’s event in Murcia, Bacolod to work on his game, the result of which he showed with his flawless 31-33 card at the par-70 Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club layout, formerly known as Marapara.

Another unfancied bet in Parodi, who also missed the cut in the first two legs of the four-stage Visayan swing of the circuit put up by ICTSI, also cashed in on an early tee-off, hitting four birdies against a bogey for a 69 with Nilo Salahog, American Pete Vilairatana and Zanieboy Gialon churning out identical 68s. (PR)