Thai shows way with solid 68

Nakul Vichittryuthasastr of Thailand upstaged the local bets by turning in a bogey-less four-under-par 68 to post a one-stroke lead over Danny Zarate at the start of the Asean Golf Tour’s Philippine leg at the Malarayat’s composite layout in Lipa City, Batangas yesterday.

The 25-year-old Vichittryuthasastr played a flawless round under tough playing conditions at the Mts. Lobo and Malipunyo nines to show the way for the crack local contingent in the $30,000 tournament serving as the second leg of the fledgling regional circuit.

Zarate, slowed down by a bogey on the par-5 14th hole, caught up with Vichittryuthasastr, who placed ninth in the kickoff leg in Indonesia last month, with an eagle-3 on the 17th. But the Thai holed out with his fourth birdie to seize the solo lead.

Obscure Filipino Orland Sumcad stood just two strokes behind by shooting a two-under 70, the same score churned out by veteran Ruben Sasutil and Thailand’s Ronnachai Jamnong.

Only 10 of the more than 80 starters broke par in a wind-raked day with majority of the field struggling on the sleek greens of the par-72 layout with Artemio Murakami, winner of the Johor Open on the Asian Tour two months ago, firing a one-under 71.

Also shooting 71s were Richard Sinfuego, Mars Pucay and Jherome Delariarte and ICTSI team mainstay Ferdie Aunzo, who led the amateur side.

Murakami dropped a shot right in his second hole but recovered well enough to be in prime contention.

“I like where I am now considering how tough the course played,” Murakami said.

Angelo Que, also an Asian Tour winner, needed 35 putts to complete his round of 72 to tie former RP Open winner Robert Pactolerin and Antonio Lascuña.

Namchok Tantipokhakul, also of Thailand, and M. Sasidaran of Malaysia and local bet Elmer Salvador carded identical 73s.

Only the top 45 scores among pros and ties after today’s round will advance to the final two days of the 72-hole championship.