Shin regains ICTSI lead, ties Bayron

Micah Shin and Jay Bayron pounced on Tony Lascuña’s disastrous “9” on No. 13 and finished off with two birdies each to forge ahead in a topsy-turvy third of the ICTSI Bacolod Golf Challenge at the Bacolod Golf and Country Club in Binitin, Bacolod. INQUIRER GOLF

MICAH Shin hit three of his four birdies in the back nine yesterday to card a two-under-par 68 and catch Jay Bayron on top after three rounds of the ICTSI Bacolod Golf Challenge in Murcia town.

Shin, the first round leader, had a 32 coming home for a 54-hole 202 total to tie Bayron, who fired his worst round for the week, a 69.

Bayron, seeking to end a long title-less spell in the local tour, had shot 67 and 66 in the first two days but was slowed down yesterday in the front side where his two bogeys happened.

Dutchman Guido Van Der Valk lost a lot of ground after shooting a 71, dropping three strokes off the pace from being one-down at the start of the day.

He tied Antonio Lascuña and big-hitting Orlan Sumcad at 205.

Lascuña, seeking to win a fourth title this season, also assembled a 69, while Sumcad fired a 67 to stay mathematically in the hunt for a breakthrough title over a course he can dominate if he puts the ball in play all round today.

Lascuña actually vaulted into the lead after shooting a 30 in the front nine, but the 44-year-old veteran signed for a quintuple bogey 9 on No. 13. He had seven birdies overall and a bogey on the 14th.

Senior Tour-bound Cassius Casas shot a 69 and Mark Fernando carved out a 66 for 206s, with Mars Pucay lurking another shot behind also after a 66.

Rookie pro Justin Quiban, Jonel Ababa and Jessie Balasabas were tied at 209 after efforts of 69, 67 and 67, in that order. Musong R. Castillo