Rufino Bayron fired a two-under par 70 to lead ICTSI teammate Anthony Saban by two strokes while Anya Tanpinco took charge in the women’s side with a 73 at the start of the eighth Sutera Harbour Amateur Open 2008 in Sabah, Malaysia late Friday.
Bayron, toughened up by a stint in the recent World Amateurs in Australia where the Philippines wound up joint 27th, groped for form in the early going but pulled through at the back with two birdies to show the way in the rain-delayed opening round of the three-day championship.
Saban came through with clutch pars to save a round of 72 at the Sutera Harbour Marina Golf and Country Club course while local bet and SEA Games veteran Kalana Ibrahim carded a 73 for third.
While Bayron and Saban flourished under tough playing conditions, reigning national champion Ferdie Aunzo limped with a 79 in a tie for 10th with Brent Sumampong. Alexes Nallos had an 81 while Art Arbole made an 84.
Tanpinco, the top RP performer in the recent World Am and winner of the Selangor Ladies Am recently, turned in a 73 to post a two-shot lead over ICTSI teammate Chihiro Ikeda, who had a 75.
Malaysian Irene Teng carded a 77 and stood four shots off the pace.
Louise Manalo is in fourth with a 79 while Sarah Ababa stood two strokes farther back at 81 and former RP Ladies Open winner Carmelette Villaroman made an 83.