Aunzo keeps lead; darkness halts play

TAGAYTAY, Philippines  – Ferdie Aunzo recovered from a poor start coming off a four-hour fog delay with a searing frontside rally for a two-under 70 to keep the clubhouse lead as darkness forced the suspension of the second round of the ICTSI Splendido Classic at Splendido Taal Golf and Country Club here yesterday.

Aunzo and the rest of the 82-player field endured the long wait as thick fog engulfed the par-72 layout on top of the Tagaytay ridge early morning but the first round leader came out as cold as the weather when play was resumed at 11 a.m., bogeying two of the first three holes at the back.

He gained a stroke on No. 17 then rattled off four more birdies on Nos. 1, 4, 6 and 7 before dropping a shot on the par-3 No. 8 for a 33 and a 70. He had a five-under 139, counting his 69 in the opener that put him two strokes ahead of fellow Davaoeños Tony Lascuna and Dumandan.

Lascuna and Dumandan, who had 71s Wednesday, were two of the 33 players stranded at dusk with both turning in a pair of one-under cards after six holes. They will finish their second round at 6:30 a.m. today.

Miguel Tabuena made a 35 at the front then held on to save a 36 for a 71 to complete a two-round total of 143 in a tie with a charging Jhonnel Ababa, four strokes off Aunzo.

Ababa, winner of three legs in last year’s edition of the annual circuit put up by International Container Terminal Services, Inc., strung up three straight birdies from No. 3 to fire the tournament-best 68 and bounce back into contention with one round left in the 54-hole event staking a total prize fund of P1 million.

Juvic Pagunsan birdied Nos. 11 and 12 for the second straight day but got outscored again by Aunzo in the featured flight as the Asian Tour No. 1 holed out on No. 18 with a double-bogey 7 then closed out his round on the par-4 ninth with a 6. He had three other birdies but had one more bogey for a 72 and a 145, six shots off Aunzo.

Frankie Miñoza, who had a shaky 76 in the first round, made two birdies against one bogey after six holes at the back and will try to keep that form when he resumes his bid early today.

Unfancied Elmer Saban was the only other player with a one-under aggregate after 9 holes as the rest toted over-par cards when play was stopped on account of darkness.