Rosales forges ahead with 67

SILANG, Cavite—With conditions becoming ideal in his closing holes, Gerald Rosales carved out a 4-under-par 67 yesterday to take a one-stroke lead over Edward Reyes after the opening round of the ICTSI Riviera Classic at Langer course here.

Making the most out of the opportunity after a level 35 coming out, Rosales gunned down five of his six birdies in his final nine holes for a 32 to emerge with the lead in a major tournament for the first time in a long, long while.

The 2000 Philippine Open champion also on this ravine-laced layout bucked two bogeys, the last coming on the 17th.

“The wind was strong early on but disappeared in the last five holes,” said Rosales, who never really got to follow up that victory 13 years ago because of a spate of injuries.

Reyes, the 19-year-old who broke into national consciousness early this year after finishing second to another teener, Miguel Tabuena at Sherwood last March, had a 34-34 for a 68 even as Michael Bibat carded a 69 after mixing three birdies with a bogey.

This tournament is the chance for the lesser lights to shine with the tour’s big guns opting to see action in the lucrative Venetian Macau Open of the Asian Tour.

Ryan Lam, a rookie pro who missed last week’s cut at Splendido in Tagaytay, turned in nines of 36-34 to be at 70 with former Philippine Team spearhead Mark Fernando.

Cassius Casas and Rey Pagunsan, a couple of veterans way into their 40s, returned level cards to be in the mix early even as Elmer Saban, who broke through last week in Tagaytay, opened up with a 74 marred by a double bogey 6 on the seventh hole.

“My iron shots were solid today and the wind suddenly stopped at the back,” said Reyes.

Saban, who held off Casas at Splendido, dropped three strokes in his last four holes and would need a good second round today to be able to creep on the leaders in the weekend.

The event is backed by Nike Golf, Srixon, Custom Clubmakers, Pacsports, Cleveland Golf, Callaway, Ping, Mizuno, Empire Golf and Sports Shop, FootJoy, Titleist, Sharp, BMW and Gergia Energy Foods.