Bayron wrests lead as Asistio falters

MANILA, Philippines - Rufino Bayron came out better than ICTSI teammate Antonio Asistio in a windy finish and salvaged an even par 72 to wrest a two-stroke lead halfway through the Indonesia Amateur Golf Invitational at the Imperial Golf Club in Indonesia late Wednesday.

Bayron blew a three-under card after 14 holes as he sputtered when the wind started to blow on his way home, fumbling with a double bogey and two bogeys against a birdie for a second straight 72 (35-37).

But it was enough to net him the lead at 144 as erstwhile leader and fellow ICTSI team member Asistio, impressive with his 69 in the first round, came out ruffled by the wind, dropping five strokes in the last six holes, including a triple-bogey mishap on the tough No. 3 on a lost ball after he drove into the coconut trees.

He limped home with a five-over 77 and slid to second with a 146.

Jerson Balasabas, playing out of Calatagan, matched that output with a second straight 73 while Indonesian Benny Kashaidi lay a shot farther back at 147 after a 74.

Another local bet William Sjaichudin fired the day’s best score of one-under 71 to move up to fifth at 148 in a tie with Peter Villaber, also a mainstay of the ICTSI golf squad, who had a second straight 74.

Miko Alejandro also skied to a 78 and tumbled to 151 in a tie with Albin Engino, who improved with a 74, while Dante Becierra ballooned to a 79 and was way behind at 153.

Over in Malaysia, Anya Tanpinco failed to sustain her charge and made a double-bogey on No. 18, settling for a two-over par 73 and falling five shots behind local bet Michelle Kho in the second round of the Malaysian Ladies Amateur at the Mines Golf Club in Kuala Lumpur, also Wednesday.

Tanpinco bounced back from a double-bogey start and a five-over card after 12 holes, birdying the next five holes in stirring fashion but stumbled with a double-bogey on the final hole and missed the chance to close in on Kho, who shot a 69 to be post a 139 total.

The 24-year-old Tanpinco had a 144 while Ginger Mak of Hong Kong made a 145 after a 72. Sarah Ababa, the other member of the ICTSI women’s golf team, had a 77 for a 149.