Aussie buckles down to set pace

LIPA City — From a final round fold-up in Korea and a missed cut stint in Macau to a solo leader here.

Not quite bad indeed for someone who could not seem to get his game going in the last two weeks as Aussie Andrew Buckle buckled down to work early to set the pace in the Philippine Open with a bogey-free round of five-under par 66 for a one-shot lead yesterday.

The wind surprisingly blew at the backside of the par-71 Mt. Malarayat layout and the greens proved tricky, but the 22-year-old Buckle, playing in one of the early flights in the afternoon, bucked the odds and overcame a slew of players which submitted under-par scores in the morning group.

"I just need to be a little more patient and commit lesser mistakes," said Buckle, noting the lessons learned in his failed bid in the SK Telecom Open in Korea where he led by two at the halfway, tied for the lead in the third before cracking up with a 74 in the final day and lost by five to eventual champion Choi Kyung-ju.

Buckle, seeking a breakthrough win on the Asian Tour, failed to advance in Macau a week later when he shot 76-78.

But yesterday he showed impeccable form.

Hitting the Mts. Makulot and Lobo fairways all day, including the reachable par-5s, Buckle gunned down five birdies and rescued a par in the only time that he went out of regulation on No. 11 for a 32-34 card.

That was one-stroke up on Somkiat Srisa-nga, who took the cudgels for the tough Thailand contingent with a four-under 67 that stood as the best score until Buckle rammed in three birdies homeward to seize control.

Angelo Que overcame some anxious moments in the front side for a three-under 68 he capped with an eagle on the par-5 18th. "A good start," said Que, who opted to skip the Korea and Macau legs of the Asian Tour to prepare himself for this premier championship, the 13th leg of the circuit, offering $31,500.

It was a superb finish, his 8-iron second shot sailing over the big lake guarding the 18th green and stopping to within six feet. He made the putt and Que joined amateur hotshot Juvic Pagunsan in third place along with American Bryan Saltus and Aussies Adam Blyth and Chris Tavers.

"Hindi rin ganun kadali ang course. Mahirap din kasi me hangin ( the course is not that easy because of the winds)," said Que, who went straight to the putting green with caddie-girlfriend and national pool mainstay Tracy Locsin, to polish his stroke.

The 26-year-old Que, who gained recognition when he won the inaugural Vietnam Masters last November, strung up nines of 33-35, a round marred by two three-putt bogeys but highlighted by a stirring 25-foot sidehill, downhill par-putt on No. 12.

"Actually, I was shaking all over when I started," said Que.

In contrast, Pagunsan took advantage of the early morning flight and shot a 68 although he could’ve done better if not for a three-putt bogey on his final hole on No. 9.

That dampened a fiery round by the best Filipino finisher in last year’s Open at Riviera where he placed second to absentee Edward Michaels of the US as Pagunsan had set up a spectacular finish by stringing four birdies from No. 3. He had a 33-35.

Gerald Rosales also missed joining the leaders when he limped with a 37 at the front after shooting a 32 at the back, including five birdies in his last six holes. He had a 69.

The other local bets, however, stayed in the fight with Cassius Casas and Rey Pagunsan firing 70 while Mars Pucay, Tony Lascuna, Al Cruz and amateur Jun Bernis carded 72s. Ernie Rellon, Solomon Gines, Richard Sinfuego didn’t do well with identical 74 and Jerome Delariarte, Robert Pactolerin and another amateur Artemio Murakami turning in similar 75s. The $200,000 Asian Tour tilt is backed by Pagcor, PAL, Hanjin heavy industries and construction company limited, Aboitiz Group, Petron Blaze, PCSO, the Department of Tourism and Malarayat Hotel and Inn as backers.

Omega is the official timer and is a partner of the event like BMG Solar, Konica U-Bix, Human by Bench, Universal Robina Corp., Centennial Savings Bank, Patio Pacific of Boracay and Mizuno.