Fernando trails by 1in Singapore

SINGAPORE – Mhark Fernando holed out with a bogey for an even par 71, dropping to joint second with two others, one shot behind Mithun Perera of Sri Lanka at the start of the Singapore Open Amateur Championship at the Warren Golf and Country Club here yesterday.

Fernando, the former national champion back home and playing his last season in the ranks, bounced back from his double-bogey mishap on the par-3 14th with back-to-back birdies on the next. But he failed to sustain his charge with that lone bogey on his 35-36 card at the tough par-71 layout.

Still, the top ICTSI-Cangolf bet stayed within striking distance of Perera with Fernando out to nail the crown in this 63rd stating of the annual event last won by a Filipino – Michael Bibat – in 2004.

Perera, playing alongside Fernando and another fancied bet Hamza Amin of Pakistan, fought back from an opeing 37 with three birdies at the back although, like Fernando, he stumbled with a closing bogey for a 33 and a 70.

Amin went two-under after 17 holes but settled for par after dropping two strokes on No. 18, a long, uphill par-4 with undulating surface, which requires accurate approach shot.

Local bet Edgar Oh parred the final hole to join Fernando and Amin in second.

But while Fernando played true to form, the other Filipino bets floundered with Dante Becierra of ICTSI-The Country Club fumbling with two bogeys and a double-bogey against two birdies at the front for a three-over 74 for joint 10th.

Justin Limjap, the other ICTSI-TCC bet, also faltered on his way home at the front, limping with a 39 for a 75 while Jessie Balasabas and Brent Sumampong had 76 and 77, respectively.

Jhonnel Ababa skied to an 83 and in danger of missing the cut.

Over in Taiwan, comebacking Jayvie Agojo carded a 75 and tied ICTSI teammate Lovelyn Guioguio in seventh, four shots behind Thai ace Yupaporn Kawinpakorn in the first round of the Taiwan Amateur Golf Championship at the Sunrise Golf Club in Taoyuan County.

Chihiro Ikeda made a 77 while Dottie Ardina turned in a 79 and Sarah Ababa limped with an 80 as the country’s top lady players primed up for various international tournaments, including the Asian Games and the World Amateurs.

Kawinpakorn, whom Ikeda beat for the individual gold in the last SEA Games in Laos, fired a 71 to post a one-shot lead over compatriot Thidapa Suwannapura and Taiwan’s Yao Yu Yu.

Peter Villaber also groped for form in men’s play, shooting a 74 and falling nine shots off Taiwanese Chien Yao Hung, who fired a 65 for a one-stroke lead over Chia Pin Kuo. Sonny Villaber had a 76 while Zanie Boy Gialon had a 77.