Miñoza, 2 others unfazed by lightning as they grab lead in Orchard golf tourney

DASMARIÑAS, Cavite, Philippines — Frankie Miñoza used a hot start, on Wednesday, to fire a four-under-par 68 and grab a piece of the provisional lead along with two young guns in the rich, foreign-flavored ICTSI Orchard championship at the complex’s Palmer Course here.

The 51-year-old Champions Tour regular opened up with three straight birdies before closing out with another for a 33-35 card that sealed his best tournament start in the local tour.

Ferdie Aunzo and rookie Jonel Ababa later caught up with the legendary Bukidnon native by piecing together contrasting rounds in the event offering a P450,000 top prize.

Ababa, the former Philippine team spearhead, and Aunzo both gunned down six birdies against two bogeys even as afternoon action suffered a 1-1/2-hour delay because of lightning.

Several flights were left stranded on the course with the first round to be resumed early on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Ruperto Zaragoza, the reigning 11-12 junior world champ, advanced to the round-of-16 of the Philippine Junior Closed championship after a 4 & 3 win over Rogelio Roque, on Wednesday, over at the Alabang Country Club.

Zaragosa seized control early and cruised to the win that set up a second round clash with another young talent, Kristopher Arevalo, in the event presented by Pancake House and SOC Land and backed by the Herma Group, Great Depot, Callaway and Odyssey Golf.