Mark Fernando used a solid frontside stint to fire a three-under par 69 as he took charge with a two-stroke lead over compatriot Ferdie Aunzo as the Malaysian bets crumbled in the face of the Filipinos’ charge in the second round of the 24th Sabah Amateur Open at the Nexus Golf Resort in Kota Kinabaul, Malaysia yesterday.
Tied with local bets Hilmi Rahman, Leonard Chin and Muhammad Irwan of Malaysia with 72s in the first round, Fernando broke away with birdies on Nos. 2, 4 and 8 for a 33 before scrambling for an even par 36 on two birdies against the same number of bogeys at the tough par-72 layout.
With a 141 aggregate, Fernando seized a two-stroke lead over a charging Aunzo, who matched the former’s 69 with his own version of 35-34 round, highlighted by two birdies in the last six holes, as he bounced back from an atrocious opening 74 to move up to second with a 143.
But while Aunzo, chasing a second straight crown after coming from behind to win the Karambunai Amateur Open last week, fellow ICTSI teammate Tonton Asistio fumbled with a 77, no thanks from an opening 40, to tumble from fifth to joint 12th at 150.
Nicholas Fung, Malaysia’s top amateur, also fought back from a 77 with a three-under 69 as he grabbed solo third with a 146, five strokes behind Fernando, a product of the National Caddies Open in Calatagan.
Sonny Gialon matched par 72 to be at fourth with a 147 while Chin Jun Nian and Wilson Choo, both of Malaysia, carded identical 75s for joint fifth with Irwan, shooting a 76, at 148.
In the ladies side, Cyna Rodriguez boosted her bid for a second straight crown after topping last week’s Karambunai Open as she shot a 74 to force at three-way tie for the lead with teammate Anya Tanpinco (77) and Regina De Guzman (78) at 152, two strokes clear of Sarah Jane Ababa, who had a 154 after a 75.