Jaraula charges to the top with 69

MANILA, Philippines - Reymon Jaraula sizzled in wet condition and shot a three-under 69 to snatch a one-stroke lead over Clyde Mondilla and Rupert Zarogoza in the second round of the Canlubang Amateur Open Golf Championships at Cangolf’s south course yesterday.

Jaraula, one of the new recruits of the ICTSI-The Country Club golf stable, bucked heavy rains and tough condition to string nines of 34-35 as he surged ahead with a 141 counting his even par output in the first round.

But a wide open race is expected in today’s final round of the 54-hole championship as Mondilla shot a second straight 71 to force a three-way tie for second at 142 with Zaragoza and opening day leader Art Arbole.

Zaragosa, the reigning junior and national champion, rebounded from a so-so 74 Wednesday by turning in the day’s best score of four-under 68, marked by a solid 33 at the front.

Arbole, who showed the elite cast with a 70 in the opener, struggled with a 37 at the frontside but settled down with a closing 35 to remain in the hunt for the crown.

Byung Kyu Cho made a 74 but stood six strokes behind Jaraula at 147.

Other events on tap in the tournament, sponsored by The Turf Company and Pacsports Phils. Inc., are the ladies category and Classes A (11-and-below), B (12-18) and C (19-up) which will be played today and tomorrow.

Other supporters of the annual event are ICTSI, Peerless Manufacturing Corp., Coca-Cola Bottlers, Inc., GOLFWorx, Jose Ma. Hechanova, GreenLink Trading, Otsuka (Phils.) Pharmaceutical, Inc., MERLO Agricultural Corp., Nature’s Spring, San Miguel Brewery, Inc., SEAMECOR, Inc. and Whealth, Inc.