Salvador wrests Del Monte pace
Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon—Elmer Salvador shot a 7-under-par 65 behind an eagle-birdie finish on another torrid scoring day yesterday to wrest a one-stroke lead going into the final round of the ICTSI Del Monte championship.
Salvador holed his approach from 130 yards on No. 17 before knocking in a routine birdie on the par-5 18th for a 135 aggregate that moved him on the threshold of a second leg victory this season, counting his triumph at Malarayat in January.
Richard Sinfuego and a record-seeking Juvic Pagunsan both matched their 68s in the first round to be in a tie for second. They will be in today’s final flight with Salvador, the reigning Philippine Open titlist.
Asian Tour veteran Angelo Que assembled a 67 and stood two strokes behind at 137, like former RP Open winner Cassius Casas, who fired a 69.
“It could have been better,” the 41-year-old Salvador, who dropped just one shot, when he missed the 11th green, said in Filipino. “My game is still not where I want it to be, but I am confident that it can hold up [in the final round] and I can win again.”
First-round leader Robert Pactolerin, the oldest player on the leaderboard at 50, rued a disappointing day on the tree-lined layout’s sleek greens and submitted a level 72 that still kept him in the running at 138, three shots off the pace.
“Whoever goes out tomorrow (today) and shoots two- or three-under in the first six holes will have a great chance,” said Pagunsan, who can become the first player to win consecutive legs on the tour after ruling the Apo Golf leg last week.
“If scores are still tied after the first nine, the 12th will decide the winner,” said Pagunsan of the water-guarded 206-yard par-3 hole.
A total of 27 players were under par after 36 holes, with a huge group that includes Artemio Murakami, Antonio Lascuña, Ferdie Aunzo and Benjie Magada lurking five shots back at 140 after shooting 70, 70, 67, and 69, in that order.
In all, 45 players made the cut at 147, possibly the highest in the three-year history of the circuit.
Pactolerin, whose 66 paced the field on Wednesday, had two birdies but rued missing eight other birdie chances inside five feet.
The event is also being backed by MJ Carr Golf Management, Jaguar, Land Rover, Studio 23, Balls TV, Srixon/Cleveland Golf, Callaway Golf, Odyssey and Golf Punk and media partners Inquirer Golf Monthly, Business Mirror, A Round of Golf, Pinoygolfer.com and Omnisource.
The second-round scores:
135—E. Salvador 68-67; 136—R. Sinfuego 68-68, J. Pagunsan 68-68; 137—A Que 70-67, C. Casas 68-69; 138—Rob. Pactolerin 66-72; 140—F. Aunzo 73-67, A. Lascuna 71-69, A, Murakami 70-70, B. Magada 70-70, D. Sanchez 69-71; 141—G. Rosales 70-71, J. Bernis 70-71, E. Saban 69-72, J. Ababa (Am) 68-73, E. Quiachon 67-74; 142—M. Pucay 75-67, P. Miñoza 73-69, J. Bayron 73-69, G. Bondoc 70-72, A. Engino 70-72, L. Dacudao 68-74; 143—B. Jaraula 76-67, T. Asistio 73-70, R. Bayron 72-71, D. Zarate 69-74; 144—M. Bibat 75-69, C. La’O 73-71, J. Balasabas (Am) 72-72, J. Plete 72-72; 145—R. Bisera 74-71, L. Retuerto 73-72, P. Villaber (Am) 71-74, D. Becierra (Am) 69-76; 147—J. Opaco 75-72, O. Sumcad 75-72, O. Dungca 74-73, J. Labajo 74-73, E. Rellon 74-73, E. Ababa 73-74, J. Rates 72-75, C. Villaroman 72-75, R. Sasutil 71-76, A. Fernando 70-77, Choi MS (Kor) 70-77.
