Miñoza fires 66, catches Bayron

Frankie Miñoza birdied five successive holes on the way to a six-under-par 66 Thursday to catch Jay Bayron atop the leaderboard halfway through the P1.5-million Apo Golf Invitational in Davao.

The 55-year-old Miñoza linked his two nines with that cluster and then nailed his seventh birdie on No. 9, his closing hole, for a 138 aggregate over the tree-lined layout that requires so much precision because of its bending fairways and tricky greens.

Bayron fired a 70 to stay on top as his first-round co-leaders Micah Shin and Ramil Bisera floundered with over-par cards going into the money rounds.

Nilo Salahog was the last of the longshots left standing, firing a 70 to be just a stroke behind the joint leaders, with Antonio Lascuña losing ground after following up an opening 69 with a 73 that dropped him four strokes adrift.

Miguel Tabuena, the winner at Rancho Palos Verdes last Saturday, carded a 73 to join Lascuña and Shin, who fired a 74, and Mark Fernando (69) at 142.

Elmer Salvador shot a 69 for a level 144, in a tie with Jonel Ababa and Clyde Mondilla, who fired a 70 and 72, respectively.

Bisera, the long-hitter who also learned the game at this layout, ballooned to a 78 and fell eight strokes off the pace with 146.

Bayron and Miñoza only had a bogey in their cards, dropping their only shots on the long par-3 fourth hole with its small green.

The course played so tough that the cut was pegged at a high 153, nine-over. Among those who missed the cut were veterans Jun Bernis, Rey Pagunsan and former Philippine Open champion Cassius Casas. Musong R. Castillo