GEN. TRIAS, Cavite—Jay Bayron and Marvin Dumandan fired three-under 69s Tuesday at the Norman course to share a one-stroke lead after the first round of the novel ICTSI Eagle Ridge Classic here.
Bayron, the winner of the tour’s Splendido (Tagaytay) leg two weeks ago, and the veteran Dumandan signed for similar 34-35 cards in the P3-million event.
Bayron highlighted his round with an eagle 3 on the third while Dumandan shot five birdies against two bogeys.
Dante Becierra carded a 70 at the Faldo layout and Antonio Lascuña had a 71, the same output at Norman of former Philippine Open champion Elmer Salvador, Clyde Mondilla and Orlan Sumcad.
“It was tough to putt out there because it was very difficult to read the greens,” said Bayron in Filipino.
Bayron, Dumandan and the rest of the field won’t get the chance to play again at their first-round venues as everyone switches courses today for the second round.
The survivors of the 36-hole cut will play the final 36 holes at the Aoki layout, considered the easiest among the four courses in the complex.
Angelo Que, in just his second tournament after his infamous foldup at the recent Solaire Open, and Miguel Ochoa turned in 72s at Norman, with Chucky Hong signing for his 72 at Faldo to complete the top 10.
Frankie Miñoza, Rick Gibson and Carl Santos-Ocampo shots 73s at Faldo to lead four others who shot the same at Norman. Miguel Tabuena had a 78 at Faldo, marred by a quadruple bogey 8 on No. 16.