Puyat makes move as Fernando falters

MANILA, Philippines - Marcel Puyat blew a three-under card on his way out at the front and settled for a par 71 but stood eight shots off new leader Zhiqun Lam of Singapore halfway through the Asian Amateur Championship at the Kasumigaseki Country Club in Saitama, Japan yesterday.

Puyat came out of a par-game at the back with three birdies in the first seven holes at the front but he fumbled with a bogey on No. 8 then holed out with a double-bogey on the ninth for a 35-36 round at the par-71 layout.

Still he improved from joint 24th to a share of 18th at 143, counting his first round output of 72, although the top ICTSI bet lay way behind Lam, who dislodged erstwhile leader and local bet Yosuke Asahi with a bogey-free 66 for a five-under 135.

Mhark Fernando and Judson Eustaquio, whose identical one-under 70s Thursday put them within sight of the leaders, lost their touch with 74 and 78 and tumbled down the leaderboard at 144 and 148, respectively.

Miguel Tabuena carded a second straight 72 to join Fernando and three others in 23rd place while Jerson Balasabas also made a 72 for a 145.