Rupert Zaragosa. –CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Rupert Zaragosa drained eight birdies in his last 13 holes on Wednesday to shoot a five-under-par 65 and pace the talented ICTSI Iloilo Golf Challenge field, the first time that the many-time national champion has taken a lead in a four-year pro career.
And that is exactly what the 23-year-old Zaragosa will be trying to keep out of his mind starting Thursday’s second round.
“I will just do the game plan, do it shot by shot and not focus on the lead at all,” Zaragosa, who had nine total birdies, a double bogey 5 on No. 5 and two bogeys, told the Inquirer. “This is something new to me, as a pro.”
Meanwhile, Daniella Uy assembled a 67 to take a three-shot lead over Harmie Constantino and fancied amateur Rianne Malixi after the first round of the 54-hole, P875,000 ladies event.
The veteran Ferdie Aunzo fired a 66 to trail by one, with rookie pro Elee Bisera shooting an eagle-spiked 67 to be two shots behind like Reymon Jaraulla as only seven players cracked par over the age-old Sta. Barbara layout in Iloilo where the big guns struggled.
That includes Asian Tour regular Justin Quiban, who opened up with a 73 to be in the company of six others counting former PH Masters champion Jesse Balasabas, rookie Gab Manotoc and Ira Alido, who won last week at Marapara in Bacolod.