Salvador fires double eagle, leads by two

TRECE MARTIRES, Cavite, Philippines – Elmer Salvador made one of the rarest shots in golf – a double eagle on No. 15 – capping a sterling round of six-under 66 that gave the defending champion a two-stroke lead over Jay Bayron at the start of the rich ICTSI Sherwood Hills Classic here yesterday.

A monster drive off the 532-yard par-5 hole that bounced and rolled over the hardened fairway left Salvador with just 147 yards for a second shot and the reticent Davaoeño shotmaker hit another solid 8-iron that rolled and disappeared into the cup for a 2.

“Madami na,” said Salvador when asked by The STAR if he had made a double-eagle before. “Pero lahat yun sa practice ko lang nagagawa, unang beses ko lang ito sa tournament (I had a lot of double eagles but only during practice. This is the first time that I did it in a tournament).”

Salvador started out early and set off his title-retention bid with three birdies at the front, barely missing another on the second par-5 No. 8. A missed-green bogey on the par-3 No. 12 slowed down his charge but the 40-year-old ace recovered the stroke with another birdie on the next before coming through with that albatross on the 15th for that 66.

It was the lowest score posted in a scorching day at the demanding Sherwood layout as Salvador underscored his readiness to defend the crown he won in record fashion (12 strokes) over Artemio Murakami and Mars Pucay last year.

Bayron bucked a late tee-off and searing heat and fired a 68, using a strong start of three birdies in the first five holes to put himself within striking distance of his fellow Davaoeño in the early going of the 72-hole championship organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

Unfancied Michael Bibat rallied with two birdies at the back for a 70 to grab solo third while young pro Zanie Boy Gialon and veteran Benjie Magada turned in the only other under-par scores in the day – a pair of 71s.

Tony Lascuna birdied No. 15 to salvage a 72 as he caught up with Miguel Tabuena, winner of the tour’s kickoff leg at ICTSI Splendido last month, who blew a two-under card with two bogeys in the last three holes at the front.

Other even-par scorers in the event, sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc., were Anthony Fernando and amateur John Kier Abdon.

Jhonnel Ababa, a three-leg winner in last year’s edition of the circuit, backed by Sharp, Nike Golf, Callaway, Titleist, Srixon, Custom Clubmakers, Mizuno and Foot Joy with support from Event Captain, Inc., Omnisource Inti’l. TPGAP and media partners Balls, A Round of Golf, Inquirer Golf, Studio 23, Pinoygolfer.com and Impact, carded a 73 in a tie with Neil Catalan, Charles Hong and Carito Villaroman.

Marvin Dumandan, fresh from a three-shot win in the tour’s second leg at ICTSI John Hay, struggled with four bogeys against just two birdies for a 74 to fall into the group of Carl Santos-Ocampo, who folded up in the final round to yield the Baguio title to Dumandan.

Also shooting 74s were Cassius Casas, Artemio Murakami, Rufino Bayron, Terence Macatangay, and Dante Becierra while Frankie Miñoza, who closed out last year’s circuit with a victory at ICTSI Wack Wack, groped for form with four bogeys and a double bogey against three bogeys for a 75 along with Mhark Fernando, Richard Abaring, Ramil Bisera, Randy Garalde, Paul Miñoza, Elmer Saban, Enrico Opinion, Danny Zarate and Arnold Villacencio and amateur LJ Go.