Sinfuego, Villacencio lead early rounds of ICTSI Classic in Rizal

BINANGONAN, Rizal, Philippines — Veteran Richard Sinfuego and little-known but long-hitting Arnold Villacencio shot 4-under-par 67s on Wednesday to share the lead after the first round of the ICTSI-Eastridge Classic here.

Sinfuego knocked down five birdies against a missed-green bogey on No. 11 while Villacencio sizzled with a five-under 30 on the back nine as they took a one-stroke lead over journeyman Ruben Sasutil in the P1 million event.

Villacencio pitched in for eagle on No. 10 and added four more birdies that more than nullified a bogey on No. 17, as he put himself in a position for another high finish in the four-year-old tour.

Rufino Bayron and Elmer Saban were two strokes off the pace after carding 69s, while rookie Miguel Tabuena, the 17-year-old Asian Games silver medallist in 2010, returned a 70 like Dante Becierra, Joseph Labajo and former Philippine Open champion Artemio Murakami.

“I think this course suits me because I can hit it long,” Villacencio said in Filipino as he found little trouble playing the holes in regulation.

His last birdie came on the 18th, a par-5 for members reduced to a par-4 for the tournament.

“I just hope to play well in the next two days because I want to win my first title,” added Villacencio, whose best finish was joint third at Malarayat in April.

Title-favorite Juvic Pagunsan had just one birdie and one bogey in a level 71 but stayed well within range of annexing a third title in four legs of the circuit.

Former PH Open champion Elmer Salvador and Marvin Dumandan also returned 71s with Tonlits Asistio and Robert Pactolerin shooting 72s.

Ferdie Aunzo, the former PH team spearhead who caddied here as a teenager, fired a 73 and was just six shots off the pace.