Salvador ties course mark, leads by one

CARMONA, Cavite—Elmer Salvador lit up the opening round of the P2.5 million ICTSI Manila Southwoods Invitational by firing a seven-under-par 65 for a one-shot lead over breakthrough-seeking Michael Bibat yesterday at the complex’ Masters layout here.

The burly former Philippine Open champion gunned down six of his nine birdies in a scorching front nine of 31 as Salvador launched in style his bid for another big event in the circuit for the second time this year.

Salvador tied the course record being held by the revered Frankie Miñoza, the former two-time Philippine Open champion who struggled to post a 74. Miñoza fired his 65 in the 1994 Open.

Salvador birdied three of his first four holes followed by a string of three straight birds from No. 5 before dropping his first shot of the day on No. 9 after missing the green.

Bibat, exploiting his familiarity with the Jack Nicklaus-designed layout, knocked down seven birdies against a bogey.

BGig guns Angelo Que, Miguel Tabuena and Juvic Pagunsan  all struggled. Tabuena carded a 73, Que a 74 and Pagunsan a 77 after sinking just one birdie.

The leading scores:

65—E. Salvador 31-34; 66—M. Bibat 34-32; 67—T. Macatangay 33-34; 68—M. Dumandan 35-33; 69—A. Lascuna 35-34, C. Mondilla 34-35; 70—J. Abdon (Am) 37-33, J. Ababa 34-36, A. Engino 33-37, A. Fernando 33-37; 71—C. Casas 36-35, Z. Gialon 36-35, R. Bayron 34-37, J. Rates 34-37; 72—J. Bayron 37-35, A. Murakami 35-37, R. Abaring 34-38, M. Fernando 34-38