Elmer Salvador fired a four-under-par 66 yesterday to share the first-round lead with underdog Arnold Villacencio in the ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic at the bending layout formerly known as the Marapara here in Bacolod City.
Villacencio, who contended in the Iloilo leg last week before fading in the last two rounds, flubbed a birdie putt from almost tap-in distance on No. 9, his last hole, and eventually fell into a tie with Salvador, a former Philippine Open champion, who gunned down five birdies.
Antonio Lascuña, seeking another Tour overall title, shot a 67 like unknown Chris Mamaril.
Jonel Ababa carded a 68 like Ferdie Aunzo and Michael Bibat.
Cassius Casas, who won the Iloilo leg last Saturday, settled for a level 70 as the relatively short course showed its teeth early and yielded just nine sub-par and eight even-par rounds for the day.
Robert Pactolerin, another former PH Open champion whose last triumph came here in 2011 in a playoff with Lascuña, struggled to a 79. The hometown favorite would need a truly low round today to make the halfway cut.
Paul Echavez, a product of the defunct National Caddies’ Open program, and Erwin Arcillas, a standout in Davao as an amateur, also turned in 69s.
Salvador birdied the tough par-3 eighth guarded by deep bunkers which Lascuña and Villacencio both bogeyed.
Despite his miss on No. 9, Villacencio still sealed one of the finest starts of his career.
Lascuña had five birdies like Salvador, but he also bogeyed No. 11, a long par-4 that requires a fade off the tee and a long second shot to the green.
Casas, who is shooting to win back-to-back titles for the first time in more than a decade, also birdied the eighth but dropped a shot on No. 13 for a 34-36 card to stay level along with Zannie Boy Gialon, Carl Santos-Ocampo, Dante Becierra, Orlan Sumcad, Ghuya Park and Jessie Balasabas. Musong R. Castillo
The event’s backers: Nike Golf, Pacsports, Srixon, FootJoy, It’s More Fun in the Philippines, Callaway, Mizuno, Custom Clubmakers, Titleist, Sharp and KZG. Balls, Pinoygolfer.com, Inquirer Golf and ABS-CBN Sports+Action are media partners.