Dutchman ties Bayron with 66

CEBU CITY—Dutch expatriate Guido Van Der Valk churned out a day-best 6-under-par 66 yesterday and caught first-day leader Jay Bayron on top going into the final round of the Aboitiz Invitational at the exclusive Cebu Country Club layout here.

 

Already the Philippine Open runner-up last December, Van Der Valk gunned down seven birdies against a lone bogey for a 36-hole total of 135, which Bayron matched after an eagle-aided 69.

 

The co-leaders held a three-stroke lead over Juvic Pagunsan, Marvin Dumandan and darkhorse Jun Bernis, who stood at 138.

 

Pagunsan, who has two local victories this year, shot a 68. Dumandan, gunning for a second title this season, had a 71, and Bernie carded a 71.

 

Artemio Murakami, who won the Asean Tour’s Southwoods leg earlier this year, had a 71 for 139, even as Angelo Que, the recent Selangor Masters winner in Malaysia, checked in with a second straight 70 for 140.

 

Also at 140 were Ferdie Aunzo, who fired a 69, and the veteran and sentimental favorite Frankie Miñoza, who submitted a 71.

 

Van Der Valk, a Philippine resident for the last six years who engaged Elmer Salvador in a memorable final-round duel at Malarayat, missed grabbing the solo lead after taking four shots to reach the par-4 14th and one-putting for bogey.

 

“I got so concerned with the other (tougher) holes that I lost my concentration out there a bit,” the 30-year-old said.

 

Bayron hit a rescue shot from 230 yards to within five feet for his eagle 3 on the par-5 11th before shooting down another bird on the 17th.

 

It was the fifth time this season that Bayron has at least a piece of the lead going into the last round.

 

“I think if I can shoot four under, I have a good chance to win,” the 31-year-old Bayron, who won the Forest Hills leg last year, said in Filipino.

 

The second round scores:
135—G. Van Der Valk (Ned) 69-66, J. Bayron 66-69; 138—J. Pagunsan 70-68, M. Dumandan 68-70, J, Bernis 67-71; 139—A. Murakami 68-71; 140—F. Aunzo 71-69, A. Que 70-70, F. Minoza 69-71; 141—R. Pactolerin 70-71, R. Pagunsan 69-72, A. Engino 69-72; 142—G. Rosales 71-71, A. Lascuna 70-72, M. Fernando (Am) 70-72; 143—R. Marabe 73-70, B. Garcia (Am) 72-71, E. Bagtas 72-71; 144—M. Dizon 75-69, E. Quiachon 74-70, R. Bayron 74-70, E. Salvador 73-71, G. Bondoc 72-72, J. Ababa (Am) 70-74; 145—P. Villaber 75-70, A. Asistio 74-71, J. Laput 74-71, C. Mondilla (Am) 74-71, R. Sangil 73-72, J. Balasabas (Am) 73-72, R. Garalde 72-73; 146—C. Villaroman 78-68, J. Abdon (Am) 75-71, J. Limjap (Am) 73-73, Ron Pactolerin 71-75;