Bayron, Bernis show way in Riviera Amateur

Former national player Jay Bayron and Jun Bernis shot similar one-over-par 73s on Tuesday to set the early pace after the first round of the Riviera Amateur Golf Championship at the Langer course of the Riviera Golf Club in Silang, Cavite.

Bayron and Bernis bucked the inclement weather to shoot the day’s low scores as they picked up from where the members of the national team to the Busan Asian Games left off.

The national players were pulled out at the last minute by the National Golf Association of the Philippines after getting clearance from the organizers in Korea that they can fly early and start their training. The team left yesterday.

"The last minute decision left everybody disappointed because most of those who joined the championship division were expecting to play against the national players," said Riviera general manager John Blanch. "But since it’s for the best interest of the Philippine campaign, I guess we’ll have to understand the team."

Blanch said that the tournament was designed as a tune-up tournament for the Nationals and the schedule was coordinated with the NGAP as early as two months ago.