Golf: Van der Valk takes commanding lead at the PHL Golf Tour Q-School

Dutchman Guido Van der Valk stretched his lead to a commanding eight strokes with only one round left in the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour Qualifying School at the cool and breezy Splendido Tall Golf Club course on Thursday.   [Related: Foreign talents rule, halfway through PHL Golf Tour Q-School] Van der Valk shot a one-under-par 71, his worst so far in 54 holes, but still put on a virtual lock on the top spot in the four-day qualifier for the right to earn a card for the 2013 season of the ICTSI-PGT, which will feature 17 legs this year.   The Dutchman tallied a 210 overall, ahead of the Japanese pair of Tomokazu Yoshinaga (70) and Toru Nakajima (76) for similar 218s. Unheralded Belem Alarcon was the bright spot for the country on the fourth spot with 224 after a 76.   Former junior stars Agustin Mata (72) and Chris Mamaril (75) were tied on fifth with 226s.  Paul Echavez (76) and Jude Eustaquio (76) tied Korean Phil Cho (73) on seventh spot. Jet Mathay (74), Johvanie Abano (75), the top qualifier last year, and Dino Villanueva (79) completed the top 10 with 228s.   Artemio Murakami, the fancied player in the field this week, enhanced his chances of regaining his card as he turned in a 74 for 233 and moved up to joint 24th.   The top 30 locals and 10 foreigners after 72 holes will earn full playing rights in the PGT which starts May 20 with the ICTSI Sherwood Hills Classic. - RAF, GMA News