Barr grabs solo lead by 2

DASMARIÑAS, Cavite—Scott Barr of Australia was hot all day yesterday, shooting a second round 4-under-par 68 for a provisional two-stroke lead over countryman Ryan Bulloch halfway through the $60,000 ICTSI Orchard Golf Championship at the Palmer Course here.

Barr, a veteran of several international tours, completed a  first round 66 in the morning before returning to gun down five birdies against a lone bogey for a 36-hole 134 aggregate over the well-manicured layout.

Bulloch, who had a 69  in the morning, added a 67 for 136, with Englishman George Thacker falling to third at 137 as he settled for a 71 after matching Barr’s 66 in the first round.

Tony Lascuña, who kept the foreign bets in sight with a  first round 67, struggled in his second round stint with a 71 marred by a double-bogey on No. 13 for 138.

Several flights were again left stranded in the course because of darkness with former Singaporean amateur hotshot ace Quincy Quek, who is still looking for a breakthrough win in three years as a pro, at five under overall with three holes to play in the second round.

Also at 5-under was Rufino Bayron, who improved on his opening 70 with a 69 for 139.

Carl Santos-Ocampo of the Philippines and Mitsuhiko Hazishume of Japan, who held the clubhouse lead in the rain-delayed first round with 68s,  both scored 72s for 140.

Barr is out to atone for his so-so 38th place finish in last week’s Aboitiz Invitational won by Elmer Salvador in Cebu.

Salvador, who beat Lascuna by six in Cebu, settled for a pair of 71s for a 142 and stood eight strokes off Barr.

Other two-under par scorers were Indonesian George Gandranata (71) and Peter Richardson (70), while Jhonnel Ababa and Korean Unho Park posted two-under cards overall after six holes. Musong R. Castillo