Bayron ends up 5th, Aunzo 7th

SINGAPORE – Jay Bayron closed out with a second straight 70 and finished fifth in the individual competition of the Singapore Open Amateur Championship ruled by Chiragh Kumar of India at the Singapore Island Country Club’s Bukit course here yesterday.

Four muffed birdie putts inside five feet slowed down Bayron’s final round bid for the crown won by Michael Bibat in 2004 as the 28-year-old shotmaker, five strokes off the pace at the start of the round, settled for 34-36 round for that one-under par card and a four-day aggregate of 281.

That was six shots behind Kumar, who held off the rallying James Gill of New Zealand with clutch birdies to capture the top honors with a 275 after a 69. Gill shot a four-under 67 for a 276 and missed capping New Zealand’s sweep of both the team and individual titles.

Marvin Dumandan, who shared the lead in the first day, failed to keep the momentum of his fine 69 in the third round, falling apart with a 75 and skidding to joint 19th with a 289.

The three other members of the ICTSI squad, whose stint here was sanctioned by the NGAP, also fell short of expectations with Bibat settling for a 74 for a share of 16th place with 288, Gene Bondoc carding a 73 and a 292 for 25th, and Anthony Fernando winding up with a 74 for joint 26th with 293.

Ferdinand Aunzo was the only other Filipino who finished in the top 10, fighting back with five birdies at the back for a two-under 69 for joint seventh at 284. Former national champion Jun Bernis wound up 12th with a 286 after a 69.

Meanwhile, Junior World champions Dottie Ardina and Cyna Rodriguez will lead a big nine-player RP delegation, all members of the ICTSI golf program, to the Indonesia Ladies Open slated Sept. 5-7, while Bayron, Dumandan, Bibat, Bondoc and Fernando will head straight to Turkey to compete in the Turkish Open set Sept. 7-10.

Six more overseas stints are lined up for the members of the men’s and women’s national pool, sponsored by ICTSI in its continuing effort to help produce world class talents. They are part of their buildup for the World Amateurs in October in South Africa and the Asian Games in December in Doha.