(UPDATE) SOUTH Korea's Ji Sung Cheon delivered a strong opening round in the Philippine Golf Tour Qualifying School, carding a 69 to seize the clubhouse lead despite a late stumble at the challenging Splendido Taal Golf Club in Batangas on Tuesday.

Cheon, 19, capitalized on an early tee time to navigate the course before the afternoon heat and wind intensified, allowing him to outperform a slew of rivals in the 112-player field vying for coveted spots in this year's ICTSI-sponsored premier circuit, slated to kick off next week at Pradera Verde in Pampanga.