Rupert Zaragosa ties for lead; lady golfers five behind

BEKASI, West Java—Rupert Zaragosa fired a one-under-par 71 to tie for the individual lead while lifting the Filipinos within medal range in golf team play of the 26th Southeast Asian Games Tuesday at the Jagorawi Golf and Country Club here.

The 5-foot wonder had three birdies against a bogey in posting the only sub-par card so far for the all-rookie men’s squad as Jobim Carlos returned a second straight 74 and Art Arbole rebounded from an opening 77 with a 74.

With 219 for the day and 442 overall, the Filipinos stayed nine strokes behind new leader Thailand, which pooled 215 on the strength of Rattaworn Wannasric’s 68, but moved within a shot of second-running Malaysia.

Malaysian Low Kai Jei slowed down with a 73 and now shared the lead with Zaragosa and Wannasric at 143, two clear of Thais Poom Sansaksin (72) and Nattapong Srithong (75) and Indonesian Rinaldi Adiyandono (73).

“We played much better than we did in the first round,” delegation head Tommy Manotoc said. “We are in the running for two medals.”

But the PH ladies’ team struggled with Chihiro Ikeda, the defending individual champion, firing a 72 and Andie Unson adding a 75 that left the Filipinos five strokes behind Malaysia after the first round.
In men’s play, Muhammad Arie Iraw shot a 71 and Kenneth Christian scored a 75 for Malaysia (441), which totalled 219 for the day.

Overnight leader Indonesia fell to fourth, three off the Filipinos, as Ian Andres could only card a 77 and George G an 81.
Kelly Tan Guat Che shot a 70 and Aretha Pan Herng added a 72 for the Malaysian girls, who totalled 142. Thailand was a shot behind on the strength of a 70 from Pinrath Loomboonru. Singapore was in third with 144.