Fil-Am invitational golf: Ventureslink grabs 2-pt lead

BAGUIO , Philippines– Raymund Gonzales Jr. sustained his form and fired an eagle-aided five-under 64 worth 41 points as AAV-Ventureslink-Robros bucked a two-point penalty from Rupert Zaragosa to pool a 133 and grab a two-point lead over Forest Hills in the Fil-Championship halfway through the Fil-Am Invitational golf tournament here yesterday.

Gonzales, whose opening 66 helped power Ventureslink to join lead with Forest Hills Wednesday, hit five birdies and gunned down an eagle on No. 15 to negate a two-bogey mishap for that 41-point output. The 17-year-old shotmaker could’ve gone lower if not for a couple of missed birdie opportunities from close range and an opening eagle putt bid that rimmed out. 

“I gained confidence after the first day,” said Gonzales.

Zaragosa matched his first round 70 worth 35 points but the former national champion and junior titlist was slapped a two-stroke penalty after holing out on No. 18 instead of a pick-up after a double-bogey.

With skipper Theody Pascual scoring 34 and Jhon Eric Juadines adding a 25, AAV-Ventureslink-Robros settled for a second straight 133 and a 266 for a two-point lead over Forest Hills, which had a 131 for a 264.

In Kae Jim shot a two-under 71 for 38 points for Forest Hills, which also drew 33 points from Edsel Tan, 32 from Jin Ho Kin and 30 from Raffy Garcia as fifth man Edgar Lee was also penalized for a similar Zaragosa infraction on No. 15.

After a so-so 121, defending champion Mizuno bounced back with a 138 as it pooled a 36-hole haul of 259 to move seven points off Venturelink heading to the last two rounds of the event to be held at the shorter but trickier Baguio Country Club.

Raymund Sangil scored a one-under 68 for 37 points while siblings King and Ace Stehmeier each had 34 and Rodel Mangulabnan added a 33 for Mizuno, which improved from fifth to third.

“We gained ground today (yesterday). We hope to gain more tomorrow (today) and hope to cut the lead to three going into the final day. BCC will be the decider and that is where anybody can score since everybody could only gun for a par and not a birdie, which could be done easily here (CJH),” said King Stehmeier.

Jun Jun Plana had a 35 for multi-titled Manila Southwoods, which assembled a 128 for a 253, 13 points off Ventureslink.

Other scorers for Southwoods were Steve Yoon (34), John Kier Abdon (32) and Miko Yee (27).

 Meanwhile, Den de Castro had a 32 as Tourmaster Golf Star II made another 106 for 212 points to surge ahead of the Am-Champ field at the BCC course.

Tonito Payumo made a 28 while JB Garcia and Joaquin Tolentino added 25 and 22 points, respectively, for Tourmaster, which kept Royal Northwoods at bay after the latter also carded a 106 for a 211.

Overnight leader Matikas slipped to third with a 101 for a 208.