Jordan storms ahead with scorching 64; Que leads pack of dangerous chasers

DASMARIÑAS, Cavite—Australian Damien Jordan made true his vow of putting up a solid card on a course that suits his game, firing an eagle-aided, bogey-free eight-under 64 to sneak past equally hot-starting Angelo Que, Ira Alido and Zanieboy Gialon at the start of the rich Aboitiz Invitational here Wednesday.

Coming up short in last week’s rain-shortened Club Filipino de Cebu Invitational which he led in the first round, the power-hitting Jordan made the most of the preferred lies rule at the rain-softened Orchard’s Palmer course, producing six birdies and highlighting his flawless 31-33 card with an eagle on the par-5 No. 6.

“I’ve never had an opening round like this, so, it feels fantastic,” said Jordan, who hacked a solid 7-iron second shot from 169 yards to within 15 feet for eagle on the sixth.

He had earlier hinted at striking back this week after falling short in his first crack at victory in Cebu, where he settled for third behind Jhonnel Ababa and Korean Kim Joo-hyung in the event reduced to 54 holes.

Jordan held off the hot starts of Que, Alido and Gialon, and the rest of 43 players who broke par.

Que actually made an early impact in his Philippine Golf Tour Asia return while the young Alido rebounded from a string of mediocre finishes down south as they shot identical 65s, which Gialon matched in one of the late flights in the $100,000 championship.

“It has been a while since I had this splendid start though I could’ve been at nine-under had I holed in an eagle from 15 feet on the sixth,” said Que.

Thais Wisut Artjanawat and Namchok Tantipokhakul and veteran Robert Pactolerin also stayed in the mix with 67s while Jobim Carlos and Tony Lascuña led the 68 scorers who included Ferdie Aunzo, James Ryan Lam, American Nicholas Coxon, Thai Pak Pradittan, Lee Sang of Canada and  Kim.

Seven others shot 69s: Clyde Mondilla, Rufino Bayron, Charles Hong, Richard Sinfuego, Keanu Jahns, Korean Kim Dae-won and American Jacob Fleck.

Ababa, also the PGTA Forest Hills champion in July, rallied with four birdies in the last 13 holes to save a 70 and join the group of Art Arbole, Erwin Arcillas, Jerson Balasabas, Jun Bernis, Jay Bayron, Marvin Dumandan, Mhark Fernando, Aussie Tim Stewart, Peter Stojanovski of Macedonia and Americans Pete Vilairatana and Cory Oride.