Dizon, Que cut Delariarte’s lead to two strokes

Jerome Delariarte weathered the intense pressure applied by Marlon Dizon and Angelo Que to remain at the helm after a two-under-par 70 yesterday in the second round of the inaugural Manila Amateur golf championship at Wack Wack’s west course.

Delariarte, 23, had ready answers for every big move made by his feared rivals but saw his overnight lead of four strokes cut down to two by Dizon after a day-long shootout.

After 36 holes, Delariarte was at 138 following a 68 on Tuesday while Dizon, touching off his round with a pitched in eagle on the first hole, and Que, his scorecard littered with seven birdies and an eagle, stood two and three shots back, respectively.

Both Dizon and Que carded 68s under the sweltering summer heat which is seen to become a factor in the final half showdown.

It looks like the battle for the championship has been reduced to only three guys as the fourth player in the standings -- Boyet Zaragosa -- was far behind at 148 and the fancied Juvic Pagunsan in a four-way jam at 149 following a 74.

Cookie LaO rallied from way, way down with the fourth under-par score of 71 to join Pagunsan, Jingy Tuason and Dave Hernandez at 149 in this event organized by popular golf chain PacSports with the full support of Wack Wack.

The weather claimed a big name in Tommy Manotoc who quit due to exhaustion after 12 holes.

"I think we’re really not just against the tough field and the course but the weather as well. It’s a mental and physical test for all of us," said Que, the long-hitting national match play titlist who could have easily broken the course record of 67 set by Danny Zarate in 1999 if not for his four bogeys.

Que actually was five under in the four par-5s with three birdies and an eagle but his record try was stymied by back to-back bogeys on the 14th and 15th. He closed his round with an 8-footer for birdies on the 16th and another from 16 feet on the last hole.

Meanwhile, the field grows five times in size today as competitions in Classes A, B and C and the two senior divisions get going.

Delariarte said he’s glad to have remained on top despite the charges made by Que and Dizon.

"I’m confident with my swing but I know Angel and Marlon are playing well, too. It’s a long way to go and we’ll see what happens tomorrow," said Delariarte.