Abdon moves on top at halfway mark by 2

Continuing to play the tight Southlinks layout without fear off the tees, Jik-Jik Abdon found himself leading a tournament for the first time in his young professional career yesterday.

Electing to go with his driver when virtually the entire field would not, Abdon gunned down five birdies in a 2-under-par 70 yesterday to seize a two-stroke advantage over Mars Pucay and two others halfway through the P3.5 million ICTSI Tournament Players’ Championship.

The 23-year-old Abdon, counting his opening 69 on Tuesday, now has a 139 aggregate with Pucay, after a 68, sharing second with Mark Fernando (71) and Ryan Lam (72) at 141.

“I just have the belief that I can put my drives on the fairway (even with my driver),” Abdon said.

Overnight leader Rufino Bayron shot a horrendous 79 that left him nine shots off the pace, with first round second placer Rolando Marabe doing just a little better with a 77 to trail by seven.

Pucay pulled his driver out just once, on No. 6, but had his moment of brilliance with birdies in a four-hole stretch from No. 12 to highlight a bogey-free effort and wheel into title contention.

Fernando, meanwhile, was content in using a 3-wood off the tees and mixed three birdies with two bogeys to also move in prime position of snapping a year-long titleless spell.

Clyde Mondilla, the champion last month at Canlubang North, carded a 73 and stood three shots back like Elmer Saban, the former caddy at Apo Golf who scored a 70.

Guido Van Der Valk also struggled with a 74 that included two double bogeys to be at 145 like Marabe and three others.

The final leg of the season, is being backed by Nike Golf, Pacsports Phils. Inc., Srixon, Callaway, Mizuno, Empire Golf, Footjoy, Titleist, Custom Clubmakers, Sharp, KZG and Rudy Project.