Club pro tops RP Open qualifier

Villamor club pro Vic Vanial shot a second straight 75 to top the Philippine Open qualifier even as four amateurs made the grade at the close of the 36-hole tournament at Villamor Golf Club yesterday.

Vanial, in fourth spot at the start of the round, sputtered in the early going and dropped three strokes in the first five holes. But he outsteadied the rest of the way with scrambling pars to salvage a 39-36 card.

With a 150 aggregate, Vanial towed nine others into the Philippine Open slated May 25-28 at Wack Wack where 27 other Filipino pros plus four members of the national pool and two sponsors’ invitees of the National Golf Association of the Philippines have been seeded.

The RP pool mainstays are Marvin Dumandan, Jay Bayron, Michael Bibat and Tonton Asistio while the NGAP sponsors’ invitees are Gene Bondoc and pro Ibarra Quiatchon from Mindanao.

Godofredo Sinfuego sizzled with a two-under par 70 and made the biggest surge by battling back from 30th place to snatch a share of 10th spot with Ronald Posada (79) and amateur Hanson So Jr. (79) with 154s.

Meanwhile, the NGAP announced that the RP Open entry fee for all non-Asian Tour members is pegged at $70 or P3,650. For registration, contact NGAP at 525-6987 or 524-5160.

Veteran Ernie Rellon carded a 76 to place second with a 151 while Edwin Estrera shot a 75 and finished in joint third with Jun Cedo, fumbling with a 78, with 152.

Other 152 scorers were amateurs Jun Bernis, the former national amateur and DHL Amateur Open champion, and Gary Sales, who had 76 and 78, respectively.