Ramos shines with solid 68 but trails by 7 in Morocco

MANILA, Philippines — Sean Ramos delivered a flawless, bogey-free 68 to climb into a tie for 12th place. But he fell further behind new leader Agustin Madalena at the halfway mark of the Morocco Rising Stars tournament at the Mazagan Beach and Golf Resort in Morocco on Friday (Saturday Manila time).

The rising Filipino star gunned down two birdies on each nine of the par-72 layout then preserved a solid 34-34 card with a couple of crucial par saves to post a 36-hole aggregate of 139, building on his opening-round 71.

Despite starting the day tied for 27th and just five strokes off the lead, Ramos now found himself seven shots back as Madalena scorched Mazagan’s back nine with a spectacular six-birdie spree, carding a brilliant 64 to hit a 12-under-par 132 total.

The Spanish ace surged into a four-stroke lead over overnight leader Hoho Yue, who slowed down with a 70 after a 66, slipping into a share of second place at 136. He is joined by fellow Hongkongite Matthew Cheung and Argentina’s Franco Scorzato, both of whom matched their opening 68s for the second consecutive day.

Meanwhile, Carl Corpus, who swept the two Asian Development Tour Morocco titles last year alongside his cousin Aidric Chan, battled back from the brink of elimination to advance with a dramatic 68, punctuated by a spectacular final-hole eagle.

It was an explosive finish for the young Filipino shotmaker. Needing nothing less than an eagle on his final hole to salvage a spot in the weekend rounds, Corpus delivered under pressure. He dominated the par-5 18th with two brilliant shots to set up the crucial eagle putt.

With a 143 total, Corpus tied for 45th to make the cut line.

Chan, however, had earlier retired and withdrew from the ADT event.