World Am golfers headed for worst finish

THE PHILIPPINES barely improved at the resumption of the storm-hit second round of the World Amateur Golf Championships, finishing with a 12-over 154 for joint 46th with one round left at the Buenos Aires and Olivos Golf Clubs in Argentina Saturday. Jhonnel Ababa and Judson Eustaquio both carded five-over 77s at the par-71 Olivos layout as the Filipinos posted a 36-hole aggregate of 310, counting the team’s 156 in the first round. Mark Fernando failed to count with a 78. France continued to hold sway on a cool, windy day, firing a 142 to keep a one-stroke lead in the battle for the Eisenhower Trophy over Denmark, which shot a 41 for 280. The United States also turned in a 142 but stood six shots behind France at 285. Play was suspended twice in the second round due to stormy weather before organizers decided to reduce the event to 54 holes. The RP golfers, whose campaign is sanctioned by the NGAP and backed by ICTSI and Philippine Sports Commission, are headed for a worst finish in the biennial event after a 38th place effort in 2006 although the condition this week is far tougher than in South Africa two years ago.