Men, women golfers drop to sixth in team competition

DOHA — The Philippines failed to sustain its fine start in the Asian Games here with Jay Bayron fumbling with a two-over 74 and the men’s and ladies squads dropping to sixth place in their respective divisions halfway through the golf competitions at the Doha Golf Club here.

Bayron, who stood second in individual competition with a 68 Friday, went one under at the back, the frontside of their game Saturday, but made a 39 at the front for that 74. With Michael Bibat settling for an even par 72 and Marvin Dumandan also hobbling coming home with 73, the RP team pooled a 219 for a 36-hole aggregate of 430.

That was 17 strokes behind Korea which took a two-shot lead over Taiwan with a 413 after a 208. The Taiwanese shot a 210 for a 415 while Japan had a 420 after a 212. India is in fourth with 211-421 while Malaysia surged past RP with a 427 after a 214.

Dottie Ardina regained her bearing after opening with a 79 but her three-under par 70 proved not enough as Cyna Rodriguez groped for form and made a 74 after a 71.

With a 144, the RP ladies assembled a 288, 10 shots off Korea, which took the lead from Japan with 271 after a 134, two strokes ahead of the erstwhile leaders, who had a 273 after a 138.

Taiwan shot a 140 to remain in third with a 277. — Dante Navarro