Que joins unlikely leaders after a 68

LIPA City, Philippines – Fancied Angelo Que took his familiar place on top with a four-under 68 yesterday but found two unlikely co-leaders in Erwin Vinluan and amateur Zanie Boy Gialon as the ICTSI Classic headed to a wild finish at the Mt. Malarayat Golf and Country Club here.

Que, seeking his second title early in the season after scoring back-to-back title romp in the The Country Club Invitational, birdied five of the first 12 holes in impressive fashion and missed gaining the solo lead with a bogey on No. 15 for that 68, enabling Vinluan and Gialon to catch up with him at 140.

“I completely missed the green on the 15th, but the good thing was I had a great start,” said Que, who is hoping to land in the top 10 of the Order of Merit here.

Vinluan, whose best finish was fifth at ICTSI Sherwood two years ago, turned in the most explosive windup in another challenging day, birdying the last three holes at the back to fire a 69 and find himself in an unfamiliar place.

The former member of the national team actually made an eagle on the reachable par-5 No. 9 but that feat only atoned for his double-bogey mishap on No. 3.

But the solid effort assured Vinluan of a crack at the top P200,000 purse and a minimum of P7,500, his earning in each of the four times that he made the cut in last year’s edition of the tour sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc. and backed by MJ Carr Golf Management, Inc., Srixon, Callaway and Dynamic Sports.

Unfazed by Que, Vinluan said this one is for his late father Ruben, who passed away exactly a year ago.

“I want to dedicate this to my father, who taught me the game when I was seven and who guided me all throughout this year. I hope I could win it for him,” said Vinluan in Filipino.

Gialon, playing out of the ICTSI-TCC squad, made a big start at the back then recovered from a shaky stint midway through the round with two birdies in the last four holes at the front for another 69 and a 140.

Against Vinluan and Gialon in the championship flight today, Que hopes to flaunt his talent and use his experience in a bid to nail another crown although a slew of others stood just a stroke or two behind, ensuring a wide open race for the crown in the P1 million event.

But Juvic Pagunsan, winner of the kickoff leg at ICTSI Royal Northwoods last week, will miss today’s title chase as he failed to recover from an atrocious 83 with a 77 for a 160, his worst two-day total in a checkered pro career.

Pagunsan, who is leaving on Monday to see action in the rich Malaysian Open, blamed his poor game to a swollen right thumb as he missed the cut for the first time in a long, long while.

“It hurts really bad but I don’t want to make it an excuse,” he said.

Que, however, may look for some excuses if he blows this one.

“I hope I can continue to rely on this advantage and hit well tomorrow (today),” said Que.

Looming large is Frankie Miñoza, on a break from the US Seniors Tour and who made his move with a 69 after a so-so 72 in the first round, anchoring his bid on a fiery stint of three birdies at the back.

He pooled a 141, just one shot off the pace, and in a tie with first round leader Orlan Sumcad, who flourished in exacting playing condition Tuesday but could only shoot a 72 despite an early morning start yesterday.

The 37-year-old Sumcad even settled for a par on No. 9 which he eagled Tuesday and hit just two birdies that negated a pair of bogey mishaps on a course he calls home.

Little-known Arnold Villacencio threatened to gatecrash the big guns party as he carded 70 to join the fancied Miñoza and Sumcad in fourth.

Artemio Murakami, the reigning Philippine Open champion, also wheeled back into contention after an opening 73 as he made a 69 to be in solo seventh at 142, two shots off.