RP seniors show way in As-Pac tourney

Tommy Manotoc bucked a nagging back injury and fired a two-under par 70 to power Team Philippines to a six-stroke lead over New Zealand at the start of the 15th Asia-Pacific Senior Amateur Golf Championship at the Wuyi Fountain Palm Golf Club in Jiangmen, China.

With Francis Gaston carding a 74 and Iggy Clavecilla and Richard Garcia tossing in 74 and 76, respectively, the Filipino golfers pooled an aggregate of 293 to show the way in the 54-hole tournament.

Caloy Coscoluella had a 77 while Rolly Viray limped home with an 81 and didn’t count in the six-to-play, four-to-count format event.

The fine start enabled the RP seniors, whose stint is sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission and held under the auspices of the National Golf Association of the Phils., to storm to a six-shot lead over New Zealand, which turned in a 299, while Australia stood 12 strokes behind at 305.

The Kiwis rode on Rodney Baltrop’s fiery 69, which also proved to be the best in the individual competition although Manotoc, the defending champion, lurked just a stroke behind with that 70.

Manotoc won last year’s individual crown in Singapore although the team sputtered in the final round and settled for third.

But with a six-stroke lead, the RP seniors are in a good position although their title bid partly hinges on Manotoc’s condition.

"Depende sa likod ko kung tatagal kasi first day pa lang eh masakit na," rued Manotoc.