Aunzo leads ICTSI golf by a stroke

MANILA, Philippines – Ferdie Aunzo, badly needing a confidence boost, fired a three-under 69 yesterday to seize a one-shot lead over the in-form Elmer Salvador and long shot Joenard Rates at the start of the P2 million ICTSI Wack Wack Championship at the fabled Wack Wack East course.

Looking to end a two-year Tour title drought, the 32-year-old Aunzo was working on a five-under round going into the final three holes before stumbling with a double-bogey on 16 that left him barely on top on a day when only eight players in the 97-man field broke par.

“I’m not playing my best this year, but that’s golf,” the soft-spoken Aunzo, whose last victory came in Eastridge in the inaugural leg of the Tour in 2009, said. “I feel good with my swing but I still couldn’t say if I’m good enough to win here. I just want to build confidence in my game.”

Aunzo bucked a bogey mishap on No. 2 by sinking three straight birdies from No. 6 inside 10 feet, before making 12-footer for birdie on No. 10. He barely missed an eagle putt from 16 feet at the par-5 13.

Salvador, the winner at Sherwood Hills and the runner-up in the Orchard and Apo legs in this year’s Tour, posted nines of 35, firing four birdies against two bogeys to tie Rates, who closed out with back-to-back birdies for a 33 on the back nine.

The revered Frankie Miñoza shot an even 72 to tie unheralded Marlon Dizon and Rolando Marabe for a share of sixth spot in the tournament sponsored by International Container Terminal Services Inc. and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.

“I’m satisfied with my round,” said Miñoza, who had a solid round that included three birdies despite being hobbled a knee injury he suffered early in the year while playing in the Champions Tour in the United States.

The scores: F. Aunzo 69 (34-35) ; J. Rates 70 (37-33), E. Salvador 70 (35-35); A. Villacencio 71 (5-36), T. Lascuna 71 (35-36); M. Dizon 72 (37-35), F. Minoza 72 (37-35), R. Marabe (36-36); R. Brobio 73 (36-37), J. Ababa 73 (36-37), M. Tabuena 73 (35-38), R. Sinfuego 73 (37-36); A. Fernando 74 (36-39), C. Casas 74 (37-37), M. Fernando 74 (36-39), G. Solomon 74 (37-37), E. Quiachon 74 (39-35), G. Van Der Valk 74 (37-37), R. Abaring 74 (39-35), E. Saban 74 (37-37), C. Hong 74 (37-37), R. Bayron 74 (36-38), P. Echavez 74 (36-38), M. Bibat 74 (36-38)