Pinoys skid to fourth as Thais surge ahead

NAKHON RATCHASIMA – From fantastic to erratic.

The Philippines men’s team sputtered in the face of Thailand’s expected charge in men’s golf competitions in the 24th SEA Games here yesterday, limping with a four-over 220 and tumbling down from the top to fourth at the Bonanza Golf and Country Club course in Kaoyai.

Mark Fernando, who failed to count with a 74 in the first round, emerged Team RP’s best scorer in an error-fraught day, shooting a one-under 71 while Ferdie Aunzo settled for a 72 and Anthony Fernando skied to a 77.

But that five-over card still counted for the team as Jhonnel Ababa proved even worse with a 79, giving the Philippines, which roared off with a stirring 209 Monday to show the way, a 36-hole aggregate of 429.

After starting the round five-up over the Thais, the RP golfers now trail the hosts by seven as Thailand recovered from a so-so 214 to put in a solid eight-under 208 and wrest the lead with a 422.

Thailand, which captured the Putra Cup recently, drew a sizzling six-under par 66 from Pipatpong Naewsuk and a five-under 67 from Kiradech Aphibarnbat.

The Thais thus posted a six-shot lead over Indonesia and Malaysia, which pooled 428s after 218 and 216, respectively.

Anthony Fernando, the national champion, also dropped in the individual race, slipping from second to joint 14th with a 146.

Aunzo emerged as the new top Filipino scorer with a 70-72-142 at fifth place, four behind Thailand’s Aphibarnbat and Naewsuk, who both had 138s. – Nelson Beltran