Sumcad wrests 1-shot lead with 71

MANILA, Philippines - Unheralded Orlan Sumcad moved in the threshold of a breakthrough win as he fired a gutsy even-par 71 to snatch a one-stroke lead over Richard Sinfuego and three others in the second round of the Philippine Golf Tour-ICTSI Riviera Championship at Riviera’s Langer course in Silang, Cavite yesterday.

Sumcad, whose best finish in five legs of the circuit was fifth at Mt. Malarayat, completed his rain-interrupted first round with a 70 late Wednesday to tie Sinfuego and trail amateur and reigning national champion Mhark Fernando, who also finished his first round early Thursday with a lead-grabbing 68.

But Fernando, the Calatagan bet priming up for next week’s Nomura Cup, wavered with a three-over 74 at resumption of play, enabling Sumcad to grab the lead at 141 heading into the final round of the 54-hole tournament sponsored International Container Terminal Services, Inc.

The power-hitting Sumcad came through with scrambling pars in the closing holes at near dusk to salvage an even par 71 and surge ahead of Fernando and three other pros although he will have his hands full against the expected charge of the fancied bets in the final round.

Sinfuego, Rey Pagunsan and Demetrio Sanchez joined Fernando in second as they turned in a 72, 71 and 68, respectively, ensuring a shootout for the top P200,000 purse in the sixth leg of a 10-stage circuit backed by MJCarr Golf Management, Pisanti, Srixon, FAMI, Business Mirror, Motorola, Omnisource, Nike Golf, Tiger Gatorade and Pepsico.

With the weather improving, so was the scoring with rookie pro Ferdie Aunzo posting the day’s best score of four-under 67, 10 strokes better than his first round output marred by five bogeys and a double bogey against two birdies.

With a 144 aggregate, Aunzo moved to joint sixth with amateur James Wang, just three strokes off the lead while Elmer Salvador, winner of the fifth leg of the circuit at Sherwood, also bounced back with a 68 after a 77 for a share of eighth with Robert Pactolerin (72) at 145.

ICTSI golf team mainstay Rufino Bayron, who beat the pros to rule the Valley leg of last year’s three-leg circuit, also put himself into contention with a 146 after a one-under 70 in the company of fellow amateurs Jhonnel Ababa (72) and Paul Echavez (73) and veteran Antolin Fernando (72).

Fifth two players, including 13 amateurs, advanced to the final round with Cassius Casas (76), Louie Dacudao (76), Rey Alit (76) and Russell Honrubia (75) making the cut at 156.