Young Miñoza shares lead

DAVAO — As his more popular brother kept everybody guessing whether he was here for serious business or not, amateur Paul Miñoza picked up from where Frankie left off by firing a three-under-par 69 yesterday that pulled him into a leadership tie with Elmer Salvador in the opening round of the First Gentleman’s Professional Golf Circuit at the Rancho Palos Verdes course here.

Paul, four years younger than Frankie at 38, continued his streak of good fortunes in the game by getting three of his five birdies for the day on the par-5s and seemed poised to challenge for another victory in the pro scene.

Just two months ago, Paul hosted the champion’s trophy as the amateur partner of his elder brother Raul in the UBX National Pro-Am at Riviera. That win earned him his national team debut in the recent Hong Kong Putra Cup.

He shared a one-stroke lead with Salvador, one of the hometown favorites who owns the course record of 65, over Willie de Tomas and Edwin Estrera in an exciting start to this seventh leg of the tour bankrolled by First Gentleman Mike Arroyo’s foundation and San Miguel Beer. WG&A Super Ferry is the official carrier.

Salvador made six birdies with putts no longer than four feet and knocked in a seventh from outside the green that cushioned the jolt of four bogeys over the wind-blown course at the heart of the Dizon fruit plantation.

Asian Tour campaigner Danny Zarate was the only other player who broke par with his 71 putting him in solo fifth even as Frankie Miñoza, an erratic short game apparently the chink in his armor, soared to a 77.

Miñoza, making his first appearance in the revived local tour, birdied the first hole but that was all the Japan Tour regular had in the four hours he spent on the course, his scorecard riddled with six bogeys.

The perceived notion that Frankie was not in usual serious self was brushed aside by his swing coach Roger Retuerto: "He’s still making some adjustments on his swing, his driving was okay but the short game was just not there."

Playing in the first flight at the break of dawn, Paul Miñoza exploited the tame winds to attack the pins with such ferocity even with the many hazards guarding the greens and fairways.

"Mas tahimik, mas madali. Talagang mahirap ang kundisyon sa hapon kasi malakas na ang hangin, mahirap ang club selection," said the late-blooming Paul, one the five Miñoza brothers playing the game.

He could have inched ahead of Salvador if not for a three-putt bogey on the tricky 18th, a tough finishing hole.

Benjie Magada, the top moneymaker of the circuit organized by the Federation of Golf Clubs Philippines, Inc. with two leg victories, was among those who scored even-par 72s. Tied with him were Sta. Elena stage titlist Antonio Lascuna, Rey Pagunsan, Mario Siodina and Eddie Bagtas.

Sherwood Hills leg winner Cassius Casas led the group at 73 that also included Al Cruz, Vivencio Lascuna, Peter Miñoza, Mars Pucay and Canlubang stop champion Richard Sinfuego.