Juvic 5 strokes off; storm cancels play

MANILA, Philippines - Thunderstorms forced the cancellation of the third round of the $6 million Singapore Open, now reduced to 54 holes with Juvic Pagunsan laying five strokes behind Spain’s Gonzalo Fernando-Castano at the Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore yesterday.

Castano completed his second round stint early yesterday at Tanjong course, which he blitzed with a 10-under 61 to seize a three-stroke lead over Italy’s Edoardo Molinari and erstwhile leader James Morrison of England with a 127. Molinari and Morrison both shot 68s for 130s.

Pagunsan, who fired a second 66 for a 132 in a weather-delay round Friday, remained as the highest placed Asian player at fourth.

World No. 11 Phil Mickelson, who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame next week, blew a six-under card with a double-bogey on the par-5 18th of Serapong layout and dropped 11 shots off Castano at 138.

Three other Filipinos made the cut pegged at 139 but Elmer Salvador, Angelo Que and Jay Bayron stood too far behind the leader to contend for the crown.

Salvador rallied at the front with a 32 and salvaged a 67 for a 138 while Que and Bayron had 68 and 70, respectively, for 139s.