Golfers 3 adrift in Putra Cup

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Brunei — The Philippines put in a second straight 218 under difficult playing conditions and moved up to second place behind new leader Thailand halfway through the Southeast Asia Amateur golf team championship here yesterday.

Marvin Dumandan, slowly recovering from a bout with flu in the first round, fired a gutsy even par 72 at the Royal Brunei Airlines Golf Club course and counted for the team seeking to end a six-year drought in the annual event also known as the Putra Cup.

"He’s okay now, medyo naka-recover na sa trangkaso," said Jake Ayson, executive officer of the NGAP (National Golf Association of the Phils.) of Dumandan, who limped with a 76 Wednesday.

Thailand, bannered by Wisut Artjanawat (71), Chinarat Padungsil (72) and Chaddanai Choksuwanlap (73), surged ahead with a 216 for a 433, three strokes up on the Philippines, which had a 436.

First round leader Malaysia fumbled with a 222 and slid to third at 438 followed by host Brunei (440) and Singapore (440), Hong Kong (444) and Papua New Guinea (488).

"Although we dropped another stroke behind Thailand, we’re confident of our chances here," said national team coach Roger Retuerto, who steered the RP squad which last won here in 1995-96.

Juvic Pagunsan, playing out of Canlubang, likewise improved with a 72 after a 74, capping his 37-35 round with a birdie from the fringe on No. 9, the backside of his game yesterday.

But Jerome Delariarte, who anchored the team’s first round output with a 70, struggled at the backside with a 39 although he rallied with a 35 to salvage a round of 74. In contrast, Gene Bondoc, whose 74 counted in the first round, limped coming home with a 40 and didn’t count with a 76.