Ham Jung-woo opened the Philippine Open — the Asian Tour's season finale — in a tie for third place Thursday.
Ham carded a bogey-free 67, three under par, at the Masters Course of Manila Southwoods G&CC in Manila, sharing third place with Korean American Kevin Na. Ham sits two strokes behind sole leader Nick Voke of New Zealand.
The tournament became the Asian Tour's season finale after the PIF Saudi International was postponed. The purse has doubled from last year to $1 million, with the winner taking home $180,000. Asia's oldest national title event will now also determine the season champion and final order of merit standings.
Ham has shown he can contend on the Asian circuit this year. In April, Ham won the Singapore Open at Sentosa Golf Club's Serapong Course with a 16-under-par total of 268, edging Cameron John of Australia by two strokes. That victory also earned Ham a spot in The Open Championship. The Philippine Open gives Ham a chance to add another win and close out the year on a high note.
Leader Voke shot a 65, posting six birdies against one bogey, one stroke clear of second-place Nopparat Phanichwong of Thailand. Local outlet PhilStar noted that Voke relied primarily on a 3-wood off the tee rather than a driver.
The strategy of avoiding deep rough and keeping the ball in safe positions paid off, according to the report. Voke himself acknowledged that bogey danger lurks throughout the course. For Ham, accurate tee shots and error management will be key priorities in the remaining rounds.
Kevin Na, a five-time PGA Tour winner, also opened with a three-under 67 to join the title hunt. According to PhilStar, Na made birdie on the par-5 18th after hitting a bunker shot close to the pin.
Ok Tae-hoon posted a two-under 68 to share eighth place with Pavit Tangkamolprasert of Thailand, the Asian Tour's leading money winner.
Jung Jae-hyun, who claimed his first victory last week at the KPGA Tour Championship — the KPGA Tour's season finale — opened at even par, sharing 26th place with Kim Min-gyu and Song Min-hyuk. Jung emigrated to the Philippines at age 4 before returning to Korea in the third year of middle school, and has extensive experience playing the tournament course.
Wang Jeong-hun, this year's KPGA Tour Rookie of the Year, carded a one-over 71 to share 40th place alongside Jo Woo-young, Shin Yong-gu of Canada and Anirban Lahiri of India. Bae Sang-moon sits in a tie for 69th after shooting a three-over 73.
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