Bondad paces SEAG rival in Hong Kong tilt

HONG KONG — Frances Bondad came through with an eagle-spiked one-under par 72 to wrest a one-stroke lead over Thai Pornanong Phatlum at the start of the 2005 Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau Asian Golf Monthly International Amateur Open at the par-73 north course of the Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Club here yesterday.

Being unfamiliar with the tight layout, the wily Bondad, 17, just tried to keep her ball in play, never forcing herself into attacking the par-5 holes, including No.10, which she eagled with a superb pitch from 50 yards.

Although she reached the green in two on the No.17, another par-5, Bondad three-putted and missed gaining a two-stroke lead.

She had nines of 34-38, a round marked by a birdie on No. 1 but marred by back-to-back bogeys from No. 13.

Still, it was enough to give Bondad, the reigning RP Amateurs champion who with US-based Jayvie Agojo will spearhead the RP team’s bid in next month’s Southeast Asian Games in Manila, the lead in the 54-hole tournament serving as part of the RP team’s preparations for the SEAG.

But the two other RP teeners seeing action here failed to come up with a strong start as Mia Piccio, who finished second to Bondad in the RP Amateurs in Bacolod, skied to a 10-over par 83 and Crystal Superal bombed out with an 84.

Bondad, a former RP Ladies Open champion who placed third in the recent Hong Kong Ladies Open Amateur Championship in Fanling, is one stroke ahead over Phatlum, who with Porani Chutichai make up Thailand’s 1-2 punch in the SEA Games.

Phatlum, who finished second in Hong Kong Amateurs ruled by Chutichai, had a 73, failing to sustain a fine start of two-under 33.

Chutichai and another Thai bet Yoopan Chiranun carded a pair of 75s.

Piccio tied for eighth with defending champion Betty Ng while Superal dropped five strokes in her last two holes for that 84 and a share of 10th place.

Meanwhile, Michael Bibat, Jay Bayron and Tonton Asistio, sputtered in the first round of the men’s competitions paced by A.S. Wu of Taiwan with a 70 at the par-72 men’s course. Bibat struggled with a four-over par 76, Asistio had a 79 while Bayron limped home with an 81.

The RP delegation’s Hong Kong stint is sponsored by golf patron Enrique Razon Jr. through the National Golf Association of the Philippines, as part of the national pool members’ preparations for the SEA Games slated Nov. 27-Dec. 5 at the Manila Golf Club (ladies) in Makati City and at The Country Club (men’s) in Canlubang.