MANILA, Philippines - Marvin Dumandan wrested the overall lead in the Order of Merit race of the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour from Ferdie Aunzo after a runner-up finish to Jay Bayron in the recent ICTSI-Forest Hills Championship in Antipolo, Rizal.
Winner of the ICTSI-Eagle Ridge Invitational and second placer to Danny Zarate at ICTSI-Mt. Malarayat Classic, the long-hitting Dumandan has pooled P564,867 in earnings heading to the penultimate leg of the 10-stage circuit starting today at the Valley Golf Club, also in Antipolo.
Aunzo, the rookie pro who seized the overall lead with a breakthrough win at ICTSI-Royal Northwoods Invitational, dropped to second with P533,543 after a joint ninth finish at ICTSI-Forest Hills which he led in the second round of the P1 million tournament.
Elmer Salvador, who bested the field with a victory at ICTSI-Sherwood Hills Classic, is in third with P492,152 while Richard Sinfuego remains in the hunt at fourth with P488,047.
Bayron, who missed three straight legs to compete abroad before winning at Forest Hills, moved up to fifth with P446,147, ensuring a spirited chase for top honors in the last two legs of the P10 million circuit sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc.
The chase for the double-leg win also heats up among Dumandan, Aunzo, Zarate, Salvador and Bayron in tomorrow’s start of the ICTSI-Valley Golf Classic, which also offers P200,000 to the winner.