INQUIRER Sports

ANTIPOLO CITY ? Ferdie Aunzo put himself in prime position to win consecutive titles in the ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour after shooting a one-under-par 70 Thursday for a one-stroke lead going into the final round of the Forest Hills leg here.

The reedy former national amateur champion finished birdie-birdie-par for a 36-hole 144 aggregate, one shot clear of first-round leader Gene Bondoc and four others.

Aunzo?s strong windup came after a wild first nine, where he tripped on a double bogey and two bogeys to go with three birdies for his 36.

Bondoc, a rookie pro like Aunzo, also had an interesting 75 where he carded five bogeys and a triple on the par-4 12th against two birdies and an eagle.

He had a 145 total like Marvin Dumandan and Michael Bibat, who shot identical 69s, Erwin Vinluan (72) and Jay Bayron (73).

Leg winners Elmer Salvador (71), Danny Zarate (72) and Robert Pactolerin (74) stood just another stroke back at 146.

Also putting himself well in the overall fight was junior ace Miguel Tabuena, who fired a 72 for 147.

With a huge final round today, Tabuena could become just the third amateur to win a leg in this circuit after Rufino Bayron and reigning RP Am champ Mark Fernando.

The seventh leg of this P10-million circuit is being backed by MJ Carr Golf Management, Pisanti, Srixon, Fami, Business Mirror, Motorola, Omnisource, Nike Golf, Tiger Gatorade and Pepsico with the final two stops scheduled at nearby Valley next month and in Canlubang in December.