Coscolluela cards 74, leads by a shot

Carlos Coscolluela set in motion his bid for a second crown in four years when he salvaged a two-over par 74 yesterday and wrested a one-stroke lead over Francis Gaston at the start of the Philippine Seniors Amateur Open at the Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country Club in Cagayan de Oro City.

Coscolluela, playing out of Alabang, rode on a roller-coaster round at the front of the challenging par-72 hazard-laden layout, mixing three birdies with four bogeys for a 37 going out. He dropped another stroke on No. 11 but came through with a slew of pars the rest of the way for another 37.

The 2001 champion thus took a one-shot lead over Gaston, one of the bets of the host club in the 54-hole championship staged by the National Golf Association of the Philippines. Playing on his rookie year, Gaston strung up nines of 37-38 in a round marred by four bogeys with only a birdie to show.

Defending champion Iggy Clavecilla struggled in the early going, losing stroke after stroke and closed out his frontside stint with five bogeys. He dropped another shot on No. 16 and holed out without a birdie for a 78.

But four players stood within striking distance of Coscolluela and Gaston, including Clifford Celdran, the general manager of the host club, who shot a 76 from nines of 37-39.

Bing Bunye of Cangolf came up with round of 38-39 while Riviera’s Danny Pizarro wavered coming home for a 37-40 card as they shared fourth place with identical 77s in the event backed by Philippine Airlines, Riviera Golf Club, Rowell Group, WWW Express, Nike golf through Pacsports, Bayer Phils. Levitra and Electrobus Callaway golf.

Also on tap are separate 36-hole age-group competitions (net and gross), which starts today, in various groups, namely Category II (60-64), Category III (65-69), Super Senior I (70-75) and Super Senior II (75 and above).