Lam leads lesser-lights charge with flawless 64

BACOLOD, Philippines – James Ryan Lam blitzed the frontside with a four-birdie binge to complete a bogey-free six-under par 64 and seize a two-stroke lead over Michael Bibat at the start of the P1 million ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic here yesterday.

Lam, who finished no higher than 14th in the first six legs of the circuit marred by two missed cut stints, hit two birdies at the back of the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club then rattled off four straight birdies from No. 2 for a closing 31 at the par 35-35 layout for his best round in three years as a pro,

He took a two-shot edge over Bibat, the former Asian Games bronze medalist still in search for his breakthrough win, who also turned in a bogey-free 66 while Dante Becierra and local bet Nilo Salahog shot identical 67s to complete the opening round surge by the lesser fancied bets in the seventh leg of the 16-stage circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

Tony Lascuna, the reigning Order of Merit leader with two victories, was actually on his way to crowding Lam and company in the lead but took a double-bogey mishap on No. 17 and settled for a 68.

He was later joined in fifth by Jojo Cruz, Fernando Santia and rookie pros Clyde Mondilla and Zanie Boy Gialon as the other fancied bets struggled at the tight, challenging course softened by heavy rains.

Jay Bayron, coming off a come-from-behind victory in the ADT Challenge in Jakarta last Sunday, never recovered from a three-bogey start after four holes at the back and finished with a woeful six-over 76. He birdied No. 1 to go two-over but made a triple-bogey 8 on the par-5 No. 2 en route to a second 38 as he tumbled to joint 70th and in danger of missing the 40-player cut.

Mhark Fernando hit three birdies against two bogeys to lead the 69 scorers, who included Mars Pucay, Benjie Magada, Elmer Saban, Peter Villaber, Fernando Santia and Paulo San Gabriel while Elmer Salvador, tipped to crowd Lascuna for the crown, blew a sterling opener of 33 with a closing 37 at the back marred by three bogeys.

The ICTSI Sherwood Hills Classic back-to-back champion settled for an even par 70 in a tie with John Hay leg winner Marvin Dumandan, Edgar Ababa, Ramil Bisera, Anthony Fernando, Joenard Rates, Aly SInfuego and Arnold Villacencio.

Angelo Que also struggled with a three-over 73, marred by a double-bogey on No. 2, while Jhonnel Ababa, winner of three legs in last year’s circuit sponsored by ICTSI, made a 74 in a tie with Ferdie Aunzo, Edwin Estrera, Cookie La’O, Jet Mathay, Quino Baterna, Jomar Pepito, Alex Cuello, Peter Minoza and amateur Luis Espinoza.

The other backers of the event are Sharp, Nike Golf, Callaway, Titleist, Srixon, Custom Clubmakers, Mizuno and Foot Joy with support from Event Captain, Inc., Omnisource Inti’l. and TPGAP with Balls, A Round of Golf, Inquirer Golf, Studio 23, Pinoygolfer.com and Impact as media partners.