Pinoy pros struggle in Open qualifier

MANILA, Philippines - Artemio Murakami matched par 72 but stood too far behind Mikko Ilonen of Finland in the first round of the 36-hole British Open Final Qualifying-Asia at the Sentosa Golf Club’s Serapong course in Singapore yesterday.

Murakami, one of the three Filipino bets vying for four Asian berths in the British Open, was in joint 28th and will need to fire a low round in the final day to stay alive.

But Angelo Que and Mars Pucay virtually kissed their bids goodbye as they both carded two-over par 74s for a share of 41st, nine strokes behind Ilonen.

The Finn took a big step towards a British Open stint by shooting a 65 to post a two-shot lead over three-time Asian Tour winner Terry Pilkadaris of Australia and Japan’s Tomohiro Kondo, who both shot 67s.

Singapore’s Mardan Mamat, Korea’s Noh Seung-yul, Malaysia’s Danny Chia and Australia’s Mitchell Brown came in tied for fourth with 68s.

Murakami qualified in the US Open last year while Que made the grade here but both missed the cut in their maiden Majors appearances.