Pucay, Salvador 1 behind in Taiwan

MANILA, Philippines - Mars Pucay holed out with a bogey on No. 9 for a two-under 70 as he dropped out of the first round lead in the Yeangder Tournament Players Championship of the Asian Tour paced by eight players with 69s at the Linkou International Golf and Country Club in Taipei yesterday.

Elmer Salvador, coming off a record 12-shot win in the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour last week, shot four birdies against a bogey after 13 holes but stumbled with a bogey on No. 14 and also settled for a 34-36 card.

Taiwanese Hong Chia yuh , Chan Yih-shin, Lee Cho-chuan, Chiang Chen-chih and Chen Hao-sen shot identical 69s to share the lead with Thais Namchok Tantipokhakul and Chapchai Nirat and Aussie David Gleeson.

Juvic Pagunsan and Artemio Murakami matched par 72s while Angelo Que bogeyed three of the last six holes to drop to 74. Michael Bibat hobbled with a 76 while teener Miguel Tabuena bombed out with an 83.