Sinfuego surges past Korean with six-under 66

MANILA, Philippines - Richard Sinfuego came charging back with a six-under par 66 to foil unheralded Korean Kim Chang Hoi and seize a one-stroke lead at the start of the P1 million ICTSI-Royal Northwoods Classic at the Royal Northwoods Golf and Country Club in San Rafael, Bulacan yesterday.

Sinfuego, who shared runner-up honors with Demetrio Sanchez and Ferdie Aunzo in the ICTSI Riviera Championship in Cavite three weeks ago, knocked down three birdies in the last seven holes, storming past Kim, whose 67 stood as the day’s best until the veteran Filipino campaigner came in with that 32-34 card.

The fiery windup set in motion Sinfuego’s bid for the crown as he tries to firm up his hold of the Order of Merit lead heading into the last two legs of the circuit sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc. and held as a fund-raiser for victims of Typhoon Ondoy.

The Korean bet made a flawless frontside stint of five birdies, including three straight from No. 6 on his way to a 31. But Kim failed to sustain his charge, dropping a stroke on No. 10 but recovering with another birdie on the last hole.

Eric Gozo, another obscure bet in the 54-hole event backed by MJCarr Golf Management, Pisanti, Srixon, FAMI, Business Mirror, Motorola, Omnisource, Nike Golf, Tiger Gatorade and Pepsico, also made a sizzling finish, birdying three of the last nine holes to shoot a four-under par 68.

Down in 48th place in the OOM race, Gozo shot two birdies against a bogey at the front side but opened with back-to-back birdies at the backside then kept his poise with a run of pars before closing out with another birdie for a 35-33 card.

Aunzo and Michael Bibat also shot a pair of 68s in the afternoon flight to join Gozo in third place while five players, led by pro-am winner Robert Pactolerin and Cassius Casas, turned in 69s in a day of torrid scoring.

Other three-under par scorers were Carito Villaroman, Benjie Magada and Joenard Rates.

Erwin Vinluan, the former national team mainstay, turned in the only other explosive round at the front, a 31 he spiked with an eagle on No. 1. But he stumbled with four bogeys at the back against a birdie and limped home with a 39 for a 70 in a tie with another longshot Jomar Pepito, who made rounds of 32-38.

Also shooting 70s were Jerome Delariarte, Christopher delos Santos, Jun Bernis and leg winners Marvin Dumandan, Danny Zarate and erstwhile OOM leader Elmer Salvador.

Meanwhile, Pactolerin and amateur partners Charo Buencamino and Mia Santos shot a 52 and beat Rey Pagunsan, Chris Wan and Mario Sinaguinan by two to top the pro-am event Tuesday. Randy Garalde, Francis Monedero and Arnel Arteche pooled a 55 to place third.