Quintanilla hangs tough, but Bregente slips in Singapore Open Am

MANILA, Philippines -- Grace Quintanilla withstood a far sterner challenge than in the opening round, grinding out an even-par 71 to retain a slim lead in the women's division, while Rolando Bregente's bid suffered a setback. 

This, as Australia's Max Moring stormed to the top halfway through the Singapore Open Amateur Championships at the Singapore Island Country Club's Bukit Course on Wednesday.

After opening with a superb 67, Quintanilla faced a much tougher test on a course that played significantly more demanding and against a field eager to close the gap. Showing composure under pressure, the Filipina came through with a clutch birdie on the par-4 eight – her 17th hole of the day – to salvage an even-par round and stay in front at four-under 138.

Her two-round total kept her in command although by just one over Hong Kong's Hei Tung Leung, who mounted a spirited charge with a 68. But Leung missed forcing a tie as she fumbled with a bogey on the par-4 eighth for a 33-35 and a 139.

Thailand's Wirada Tawinsang also remained firmly in the title hunt after also carding a three-under round to move to 140, just two strokes behind Quintanilla entering the final 36 holes of one of the region's premier amateur championships.

In the men's division, Bregente was unable to replicate the brilliance of his opening-round 64, which featured an eagle and gave him the overnight lead. He settled for a one-under 70 built around two birdies and a lone bogey as he slipped to joint second at 134.

That opened the door for Moring, who delivered the round of the tournament with a scintillating 62 to vault from five shots behind into a commanding three-stroke lead at 131.

Starting the day after a 69, Moring quickly ignited his charge by birdieing three of his first five holes. Although he dropped a shot on the sixth, the Australian responded immediately with birdies on the eighth and ninth to make the turn at 31.

He kept the momentum going on the back nine, birdieing three of the first four holes before capping his spectacular round with consecutive birdies to finish with another 31 and seize control of the championship.

Bregente, meanwhile, endured a frustrating day on the greens. After opening with six straight pars – a stark contrast to his explosive first-round performance – he bogeyed the seventh before recovering the shot with a birdie on No. 10.

The Filipino consistently gave himself birdie opportunities but struggled to convert, missing several makeable chances before finally rolling in another birdie on his closing hole to salvage a one-under round. Despite surrendering the lead, Bregente remained well within striking distance with two rounds still to play and will look to mount a weekend comeback.

But joining him at second is Jonty Lunson, also from Australia, who posted an eagle-aided 68 late in the day to set up a thrilling third round shootout with Moring and Bregente.

Jet Hernandez snapped a frontside 35 with three birdies in the first six holes at the back as he charged back into contention at six-under overall with three holes to play at presstime.

While the other Filipino bidders advanced, they remained too far off the pace to mount a serious challenge. Rico See carded a 72 for a 36-hole total of 142, while AJ Wacan slipped with a 74 for a 147, and Chris Remata struggled with a 76 for a 150.

In the women's division, Alethea Gaccion faltered with an 81 and missed the cut by three strokes with a 158. Juliane Gaerlan also failed to advance, closing with a 78 for a 160 aggregate.

With Bregente and Remata unable to keep pace, Team Philippines dropped into a tie for fourth in the men's team competition with a 284 total after a second-round 146. They trailed leaders Lunson and Moring by 19 strokes after the duo combined for a 12-under 130 and a 265 aggregate.

Quintanilla and Gaccion also slipped to joint third in the women's team standings with a 296 total after combining for a 152, leaving them 12 strokes behind leaders Leung and Xizihan Wang, who teamed up for a 141 and a 284 aggregate.