Iñigo leads PH Seniors as Iggy flops

MANILA—Pepot Iñigo settled for a three-over 75 but still emerged with a one-stroke lead yesterday as five-time champion Iggy Clavecilla groped for form at the start of the Philippine Senior Amateur Golf Championships at Riviera’s Couples course in Silang, Cavite, yesterday.

Iñigo mixed two birdies with the same number of bogeys in the first nine holes but bogeyed three holes coming home for nines of 36-39 at the par-72 layout he calls home.

He took a one-stroke lead over Florene delos Santos and Cangolf’s Jose Mari Hechanova while Tony Olives, also of Canlubang, stood a stroke behind at 77.

Former national champion and last year’s runner-up Francis Gaston of Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club also wavered coming home, bogeying the last two holes for a 78 to drop into a tie with Cangolf’s Rolly Viray and Anthony Youn Han of Eagle Ridge.

Dave Hernandez, also of Cangolf, made a 79 even as Clavecilla, seeking to extend his record win run in the annual event to six, found the going tough and finished seven strokes off the pace.

He had six bogeys and two double bogeys in his nines of 40-42 although the top Alabang bet is expected to bounce back today and put himself in contention heading to the last 36 holes of the event organized and conducted by the National Golf Association of the Philippines.

Earlier, former President Fidel V. Ramos and NGAP president Leandro Mendoza hit the ceremonial drive to kick off this year’s edition.

Katy Katigbak and Gilmer Batestil carded identical 78s to share the lead in Category II (60-64), two shots clear of Tomas Joson, who had an 80, while Manuel Pone shot an 83 to seize a one-stroke lead over Vic Onella, who had an 84, in Category III (65-69).

Mario Lugay submitted an 86 to rank third while Esme Cantada stood two shots farther back at 88.