Micah Shin shot a first-round 66 at the ICTSI Apo Golf Classic in Davao City, taking a three-stroke lead over Clyde Mondilla with three rounds remaining.

Key Takeaways

  • Mondilla opened with a 69, while seven players shared third place on 70.
  • Shin grew up and trained at Apo Golf and Country Club, where he was invited to play.

Micah Shin builds an early advantage

Shin made four birdies on his first nine holes and added three in a row beginning at the 13th. He reached seven under before dropping a shot at the par-3 17th, where he missed a short putt after playing out of a bunker.

“I didn’t miss many fairways. I hit some bad shots, too, but I managed to recover and save par,” Shin said.

The Korean-American golfer said he had moved to Korea but returned to Apo to practice when he could. He said the familiar course gave him confidence despite not feeling at his best.

Mondilla leads the chasing field

Mondilla, who won the previous week’s South Pacific leg, made four birdies and one bogey on the back nine to finish on 69. Sean Ramos, Russell Bautista, Ramil Bisera, Paul Echavez, Jeremy Tandoy, Dino Villanueva and Kim Tae Soo opened with 70s.

The event marks Shin’s first Philippine Golf Tour appearance since he won his second title at The Country Club Invitational in January 2026. He had recently tied for 19th in Macau and 54th in Hong Kong on the Asian Tour.

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