Viray zooms ahead by three at Malarayat

LIPA CITY—Former national champion Rolly Viray fired a three-over-par 75 on Thursday to wrest a three-shot lead over Abe Avena heading into the final 18 holes of the Philippine Senior and Mid-Amateur Open Championships at Mt. Malarayat Golf and Country Club here.

Viray erased an overnight two-shot deficit with a flawless 35 coming out as the Canlubang golf manager takes a 151 aggregate into the last round Friday when he bids to win this event for the second time in his career.

Avena, the 2016 champion who opened up with a 74 on Wednesday, got undone with three straight bogeys from No. 4 before losing another shot at the ninth, limping home with an 80 at the Mounts Malipunyo and Lobo nines he knows so well.

Damasus Wong carded a second 79 and stayed at third at 158 while Tommy Manotoc also shot another 81 to move to fourth at 162.

Renato Unson made an 80 for 163, with Mari Hechanova carding an 80 to tie Dave Hernandez, who stumbled with an 85, at 164.

Zaldy Villa shot an 82 for 165 followed by Tony Olives and William Goldwin, who have identical 166s after an 83 and 86, respectively.

Meanwhile, Tootsie De Jesus and Judeson Eustaquio opened with 73s to share the lead in the Mid Amateur Open, moving ahead by three shots over Jing Romero, Rhoneil Cousart and Rodolfo Brobio.
Actor Derek Ramsay and former pro Raymund Sangil carded 77s.

Gary Manotoc III, on the other hand, made an 81 to grab a two-stroke lead over Michael Macatangay, who turned in an 83, in the Mid Am Division I with Augusto Cruz and Vince Ermita scoring similar 84s and Boom Coscolluela, Jody Aguinaldo and Edilberto Pasumbal scoring 86s.