Power hitter tames Valley, leads by two

Unheralded Orlan Sumcad rattled off six birdies en route to a four-under-par 68 as he hogged the spotlight at the start of the ICTSI Valley Golf Challenge at the Valley Golf Club’s south course in Antipolo.

The power-hitting Sumcad made two tap-in birdies on the first two holes at the backside, the frontside of his game yesterday, as he nearly reached the green with his drive on the 10th and got on in two on the tough No. 11 with brute strength.

Sumcad, playing out of Mt. Malarayat, went on to shoot six birdies against two bogeys for nines of 34-34 as he opened a two-shot lead over amateur Jerson Balasabas and Gene Bondoc.

“He’s really powerful that’s why he had a number of birdie chances,” said Balasabas in Filipino, after holding his own in a virtual driving contest with Sumcad, scoring a 70 on nines of 35-35.

Cassius Casas, the player tipped to win this kick-off leg of the revived Philippine Golf Tour, struggled early but made four birdies on the back nine to salvage a 71 on a day majority of the local pros groped for form in the absence of tournaments in a long, long while.

Casas, who broke a long victory spell by winning the B-ing Championship in Bangkok, Thailand last month, was tied with Demetrio Sanchez as the only other players to break par.

Rey Pagunsan, Elmer Salvador and Al Cruz all matched par 72s while former Philippine Open winner Robert Pactolerin led the group at 73 that also included Jomar Pepito, Danny Zarate, Randy Garalde and amateur Johnnel Ababa.

Pactolerin wasted a brilliant start which saw him shoot a 33 in the back nine where he teed off with a struggling stint down the last six holes with four bogeys.

Benjie Magada, another of the favorites, could only score a 74 like Chris delos Santos, Roger Cabajar and amateurs Brent Sumampong and Tony Fernando while Jay Bayron was among those at 75.

The field takes a rest today in observance of a national holiday for the end of Ramadan and will return to the course tomorrow and Friday for the final two rounds.