Salvador cards 68 but still trails leader by five

MANILA, Philippines - Elmer Salvador fired a bogey-free four-under 68 to trail Singapore’s Mardan Mamat by five in a day of torrid scoring at the start of the King’s Cup at the SIngha Park Khon Kaen Golf Club in Khon Kaen, Thailand yesterday.

Salvador rattled off three birdies at the frontside but just had one birdie at the back for a 33-35 card, settling for joint 18th as the par-72 layout succumbed to the field’s scoring binge with Mamat leading the charge with a blazing finish of five birdies for a 63.

Mamat’s closing run came after he made a bogey on the par-3 13th, his 32-31 card shoving him past Supakorn Utaipat of Thailand and Englishman Chris Rodgers, who momentarily held the joint lead with 64s before Mamat charged home with that 63.

Tony Lascuna gunned down five birdies but stumbled with two bogeys for a 69, the same output put in by teener Miguel Tabuena, who hit three birdies at the back while Mars Pucay also birdied three of the last nine holes to salvage a 70.

Jay Bayron, who earned an Asian Tour card after topping the Asian Development Tour this year, matched par 72 in a tie with Jhonnel Ababa but the duo fell in joint 96th and in danger of missing the cut.