Pinoy pros lose steam in Macau

MANILA, Philippines - The Filipino golfers fumbled with over par rounds after an impressive opening day outputs as Juvic Pagunsan made a two-over 73 and Angelo Que and Mars Pucay struggled with a pair of 74s in the second round of the Macau Open at the Macau Golf and Country Club in Macau yesterday.

Pagunsan stumbled with a triple bogey on No. 1 and needed to birdie the 18th for a 35-38 card although he tumbled down from joint eight to a share of 36th at 141, eight shots behind halfway leader Chan Yih-shah, who fired a 67 for a 133.

Que double bogeyed No. 1 and had two more bogeys against a birdie for a 74 and a 142, the same output put in by Pucay, who rallied at the front with a 33 for a 74.

Pagunsan, Que and Pucay shot identical 68s in the first round.

Tony Lascuna shot a second straight 71 to join Que, Pucay and a host of others in 44th place.

Miguel Tabuena matched par 71 for a 144 but missed the cut at 143. The other Filipinos who failed to make it to the weekend play were Gerald Rosales (71-145), Elmer Salvador (74-147), Artemio Murakami (72-149) and Michael Bibat (73-151).

Jonas Granberg of Finland shot a course record tying nine-under par 62, including an eagle on the final hole, to leapfrog from joint 59th to solo second at 134, one stroke behind, while first round leader Swede Rikard Karlberg slid to third at 136 despite a 69 in a tie with Aussie Adam Groom, who also fired a 69, Thai Thanyakon Khrongpha, who made a 66, and Jeev Singh of India, who carded a 68.