Obscure pro paces rain-hit Mimosa golf

Unknown Zaldy Salvador fired a one-under-par 71 yesterday to grab a provisional one-shot lead in the rain-interrupted first round of the ICTSI-Mimosa Challenge in Clark, Pampanga.

The 37-year-old younger brother of reigning Philippine Open champion Elmer Salvador emerged with the day’s only sub-par round with seven flights failing to finish because of strong rains late in the afternoon.

Marvin Dumandan matched par to launch his quest for a second straight leg title as solid favorite in the P1-million event presented by ICTSI and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.

He was three under at the turn but took a  triple bogey-8 on No. 13, before parring his last five holes.

Rufino Bayron, Antonio Asistio II and Gene Bondoc were also at 72 together with amateur Charles Hong, even as Ferdie Aunzo and former PH Open winner Robert Pactolerin were bunched in an eight-man group at 73.

“I didn’t hit the ball quite well today but I’m OK where I am,” Dumandan, the Northwoods leg winner last month, said in Filipino.

Dumandan tried going for the green in two on the 13th only to find the lateral water hazard twice. “I still like my chances,” he added.

Dante Becierra, the former Hong Kong Am winner, also returned a 73 to lead the low amateur race, even as the elder Salvador struggled with a 77 marred by a double bogey 7 on No. 10 for a 41 coming out.

Zaldy shot nines of 35-36 on two birdies and a bogey and is well on his way to making his third cut in six legs. 

The leading scores:
71—Z. Salvador 35-36; 72 – R. Bayron 35-37, A. Asistio 34-38, C. Hong (Am) 34-38, M. Dumandan 33-39, G. Bondoc 32-40; 73 – R. Bisera 38-35, F. Aunzo 37-36, J. Labajo 36-37, D. Becierra 36-37, R. Pactolerin 35-38, R. Pagunsan 35-38, E. Ababa 35-38, B. Magada 34-39; 74 – R. Sangil 39-35, A. Fernando 37-37, M. Tabuena (Am) 37-37, J. Balasabas (Am) 34-40, E. Saban 34-40; 75 – P. Villaber (Am) 39-36, J. Opaco 37-38, R. Sinfuego 36-39; 76 – O. Dungca 39-37, J. Limjap (Am) 39-37, B. Pacquin 39-37, S. Villaber (Am) 38-38, J. Bernis 37-39, C. Casas 37-39, D. Zarate 36-40, T. Manotoc (Am) 35-41, C. Santos-Ocampo (Am) 35-41.