Miñoza falters, trails Thai leader by six

MANILA, Philippines - Frankie Miñoza fumbled with back-to-back bogeys from No. 16 and settled for a two-under 70, falling six shots behind last week’s tormentor Boonchu Ruangkit of Thailand at the start of the Chang Thailand Senior Masters at the Royal Gems Golf Club in Nakhonpathorn, Thailand yesterday.

Miñoza, who lost in a playoff to Ruangkit in his seniors debut in the Brunei Seniors Masters last week, came away with four straight birdies linking both nines to negate his two earlier bogeys as he stayed within striking distance of the leaders.

But after stringing three straight pars from No. 13, the 50-year-old Miñoza bogeyed the par-4 16th then dropped another shot on the par-17th to drop to joint 24th.

It was a sorry windup for the two-time Philippine Open champion, who had looked forward to an explosive start after recovering from a bogey on No. 3 with birdies on Nos. 4 and 5 before stringing four straight from No. 8.

Miñoza is now campaigning on the seniors tour in the region in preparation for his stint in the US Seniors Open qualifier later in the year.

He had a solid start in Brunei and appeared headed for a big debut when he lost in the second playoff hole to Ruangkit.

The Thai veteran kept the momentum of that win and fired an eight-under 64 to post a one-stroke lead over compatriot Manus Saengsui, who turned in a 65.

Another Thai, Jamnian Chitprasong stood a shot farther back at 66 in a tie with Japanese Katsuyoshi Tomori, while four players, led by Thai Nopajak Meesom, carded identical 67s.