Bayron grabs lead with fiery 62

DASMARINAS, Cavite—-Rufino Bayron shot a sizzling 10-under-par 62 yesterday to take a commanding five-shot lead over Angelo Que halfway through the rain-hit ICTSI Orchard Golf Championship here.

Bayron gunned down a pair of eagles and eight birdies against two bogeys for a 13-under-par 131 aggregate.

His 62 matched the low round set in 2012 by Malaysian Rashid Ismail on the Asian Development Tour.

The 32-year-old Bayron rode on a hot putter to defy the heavy rains that halted play at Orchard Golf and Country Club.

“I was a bit lucky today,” he said. “My putter was hot. I’m really happy with this round because everything in my game worked.”

Que, in search of his first title this year, shot five birdies but settled for a 69 and a 136 total. He three-putted the ninth green.

Clarke Lutton of Scotland and Masaru Takahashi of Japan were a further six shots back from Bayron going into the last two rounds of the $60,000 event.

“That three-putt notwithstanding, I am happy with my ball striking,” said Que.

Bayron torched the front nine with an eagle-spiked 31 before picking up five more shots along the way.

A heavy afternoon downpour suspended play for two hours and darkness prevented several flights from finishing, including former Philippine Open champion Cassius Casas’.

Casas was nursing a 2-under card after nine holes and 7-under overall, in a temporary tie with the group of Clarke, Japan’s Masaru Takahashi and Australian Matthew McBain.

Takahashi was at 3-under through nine holes yesterday and McBain 2-under after 12.

Another Japanese, Toru Yoshinaga, submitted a 67 for 138, with Arnold Villacencio and Jonel Ababa in a group at 5 under despite playing just nine and 12 holes, respectively.

Only the top 50 players after 36 holes will advance to the final two rounds.

Ryan Lam and rookie pro Keanu Jahns, a former standout of Alabang in the Philippine Airlines Interclub, were among those with 5-under aggregates after completing rounds of 68. They were in a group that also included American Brett Munson, who shot a 69, and Malaysian ace Arie Irawan, who had a 70.

Other backers of the tournament: Nike Golf, Pacsports Phils. Inc., Srixon, Callaway, Mizuno, Empire Golf, Footjoy, Titleist, Custom Clubmakers, Sharp and KZG.