Jahns shows potential, cards 68 to trail by three in Jakarta

Keanu Jahns

Pilipinas Golf

MANILA, Philippines — Keanu Jahns made the most of his rare overseas stint, carding a four-under 68 to trail Canadian Henry Lee by three shots at the start of the Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament at Damai Indah Golf’s BSD course in Greater Jakarta, Indonesia, on Wednesday.

Jahns, one of the Philippines’ standout young golfers but an infrequent competitor abroad, showed his considerable potential in the $150,000 Asian Development Tour event, putting himself in early contention at joint fifth with half the field still to complete play in the afternoon wave.

The Filipino-German’s strong start also provided an early boost to the Philippine contingent, with Aidric Chan carding a 69 to join a group at provisional 12th.

Chan closed with three straight birdies from No. 16 to offset a mid-round stumble.

Other Filipinos in the field, including three-time Asian Tour winner Angelo Que, Sean Ramos and Enrico Gallardo, were still on the course at presstime.

Taking advantage of near-ideal morning conditions, Jahns used his power and length to recover from a bogey on No. 3 with four birdies in his next five holes, including both par-5s.

He dropped another shot on the ninth after failing to get up-and-down, but quickly regained momentum with birdies on Nos. 14 and 16 to post a pair of 34s on the par-72 layout, which yielded plenty of low scores from the in-form international field.

Lee led the assault with a bogey-free 65, closing with back-to-back birdies to seize a one-shot lead over India’s Khalin Joshi, who carded a 66 highlighted by birdies over the last four holes.

Another shot back at 67 were former Philippine Open champion Berry Henson of the US and Thailand’s Natipong Srithong, who preserved his bogey-free round with four closing birdies.

Chan, who won an ADT event in Morocco last year, opened with three birdies in his first eight holes before, like Jahns, dropping a shot on the ninth.

He fell back to level par after bogeys on Nos. 10 and 12, but halted the slide with three consecutive pars before finishing strongly with birdies on the last three holes for a 34-35.