Team Philippines all but bowed out of the Asia-Pacific Senior Amateur Golf Championship yesterday as an injury-hit second round had the Filipinos now trailing leader Australia by a whopping 57 points at Alabang Golf Club in Muntinlupa.
Rolly Viray and Alan Alegre fired identical nine-over-par 81s to lead the Philippines’ 328 for 654 as the Aussies crept closer to regaining the championship after a week-best 298 for 597.
Japan also lost ground but stayed in second, 14 shots behind, with defending champion New Zealand now 26 strokes behind at 623 after a 307.
South Korea pooled a 312 to be at 614, three shots behind the Japanese’s 300.
Mari Hechanova, the second-best scorer for the Filipinos in the opening round, withdrew after six holes and the Philippines had to count the 82 of Benjie Sumulong and the 84 of first round leading scorer Abe Avena.
Former Philippine Sports Commission chair Richie Garcia skied to an 86 and failed to count. —MUSONG R. CASTILLO