Viray hangs tough for four-shot lead

LIPA — Rolly Viray was steady on a stretch where everyone else struggled, shooting an even-par 72 to zoom to the 2005 Philippine Senior Amateur lead heading into the final round at the Mount Malarayat here.

The Canlubang bet putted with precision and birdied two of his last three holes, taking a four-shot lead over Richie Garcia into the final day for a chance at becoming just the second player to win the country’s regular and Senior titles.

Viray now has a 147 aggregate, three-over at the wind-swept composite course but in solid position to become only the second player behind defending champion Francis Gaston to pull off the sweet double.

"I got myself out of trouble with the way I putted today," Viray said. "I would like to play that way again (for the final round), but it’s easier said than done."

Viray won the 1975 RP Am at Capitol Hills, while Gaston was the 1977 champion at Villamor and the Senior winner last year at Pueblo de Oro in Cagayan de Oro.

Garcia made a mess out of his back nine, shooting a 42 there to balloon to a 79 and a 151 total, just two ahead of the third-placed Gaston, who doubled the par-4 opening hole on the way to a 76 and a 153.

Iggy Clavecilla, the jolly 2003 champion, was good for a 78 after a 40 on the back side and dropped to solo fourth from a tie for third with a 154 aggregate in the event presented by ICTSI and San Miguel Corp.

Aboitiz, Hanjin Group, Petron Blaze, Pagcor, PCSO, Philippine Airlines, the DOT and The Inns at the Malarayat are the other backers of the event.

Ben Reyes of Negros followed up his opening 70 with an 80 and slipped to solo fifth with a 156, while Bing Bunye, another Canlubang mainstay, shot an 81 for 157.

Caloy Coscoluella, the 2001 winner, had seven straight bogeys from the ninth and skied to an 81 to be in solo seventh spot, 11 strokes adrift with his 158 aggregate, tied with Eagle Ridge’s Jose Nepomuceno (79).

NGAP vice-president Danny Pizarro had only one one-putt and struggled to shoot an 81 for solo 10th at 159.

Four age divisions will also be disputed today with Ben Liclican holding the provisional lead in the 60-64 group after a 36-hole 12-under 132 and Cris Gabriel holding on to a one-shot lead in the 65-69 bracket with his net 70.

Club Intramuros’ Pat Herron is the provisional Super Senior (70-74) leader with a net, 36-hole 140 tally, while Indon Andy Tabusalla turned in a net 76 to pace Super Senior II (75-and above) action.