Another unknown leads at South Pacific

Another relatively unknown bet in Russell Bautista, still starstruck playing against some of his heroes, stood out under strength-sapping heat on Thursday to become the new toast of the ICTSI South Pacific Golf Classic in Davao.

A three-putt bogey on the 54th hole ruined what would have been a flawless round, but a five-under-par 67 was enough to give the Cebu native a two-shot lead over Ramil Bisera as two-round leader Jeff Lumbo finally succumbed to the conditions to fire a 74 and be four back.

“I wasn’t expecting this at all, especially playing against my idols like Angelo Que,” Bautista, a PGT campaigner for the last two years but never in contention for a title until now, said in Filipino as he moved within a round of breaking through as a pro.

Bisera also fired a 67 for 209, while Lumbo is another shot back after falling off the lead when Bautista birdied the 12th.

Lumbo, from being bogeyless in an opening 67, to shooting a 70 built around four birdies on Wednesday, had just one third-round birdie and all three of his bogeys coming in the last five holes.

Multiple leg winner Guido van der Valk of the Netherlands sits five shots off after a 68, while ex-PH Open champion Clyde Mondilla is among three players another shot behind after a week-best 66.

Que, who finished in the top 30 of the International Series Philippines at Sta. Elena won by Miguel Tabuena last week, fired a 71 like Marvin Dumandan and both are tied with 214 aggregates heading into the final round. —INQUIRER SPORTS STAFF