Sinfuego rallies with 67, up by 1

BUKIDNON, Philippines – Richard Sinfuego, out to complete an unfinished business here, got off the right track with a five-under 67, wresting a one-stroke lead over last week’s Palos Verdes winner Michael Bibat and Elmer Salvador at the start of the P1 million ICTSI Del Monte Championship at Del Monte Golf Club here yesterday.

Sinfuego, out to redeem himself from a final round mishap that cost him the crown here in 2010, took charge despite a shaky start at the back on a cloudy, windless day, blasting away three birdies in the last five holes on both nines to complete a 33-34 round.

He barely went two-up after missing an eagle putt from the fringe on the par-5 ninth.

“I thought it was going in, sadly it didn’t,” said the 42-year-old Sinfuego, who fumbled with an early bogey on No. 12 but recovered strong to find himself in an unfamiliar spot in the early going of the 54-hole tournament organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

“But I’m playing great because I’m used to this kind of greens just like in my home course in Sta. Barbara, Iloilo where we have Carabao grass there,” added Sinfuego, seeking his first victory since winning back-to-back at Orchards and Southwoods nine years ago.

Sinfuego was one hole away from winning this leg in 2010 but got disqualified, along with Juvic Pagunsan and Salvador, on a final hole infraction, enabling then fourth-running Cassius Casas to steal the crown.

This time, he made sure to contend right in the opening round, taking advantage of the reachable four par 5s, birdying all but one of them to fuel his impressive start.

Equally remarkable was Bibat, who bucked back pains to prime himself up for a second straight championship with a four-under 68 he spiked with an eagle on the par-5 14th.

What impressed most was that he didn’t only sustain the momentum of his final round charge that netted him his first pro victory at Palos Verdes last week but also upstaged Miguel Tabuena and Jay Bayron, who fumbled with 73 and 74, respectively, in the featured flight of leg winners after five legs of this year’s ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour.

“I felt it the whole day but my chiropractor told me to do my routine exercises and ice it a bit. I hope it gets better in the next two days,” said the 28-year-old Bibat.

Salvador also charged back at the front with four birdies against a bogey for a 33 and a 68, catching Bibat at second while Fil-Chinese James Ryan Lam came through with an eagle-blast on the ninth to shoot a 69 and lead the bunch of three-under par scorers, who included fancied Tony Lascuña, Anthony Fernando, Charles Hong and local bets Johvanie Abaño and Jett Plete.

Plete, meanwhile, grabbed the spotlight after scoring a hole-in-one on the 165-yard No. 16.

“It’s a memorable moment for me,” said the 35-year-old Plete, a club pro here who also hit an ace at Pueblo de Oro in Cagayan de Oro City three years ago.

Lascuña, who dominated the ICTSI Calatagan leg and finished joint second with Salvador last week, missed grabbing a share of the lead with muffed putts from close range on Nos. 14 and 15 and a missed-green bogey on No. 17.

Frankie Miñoza, fancied to reign on his home course, stayed in contention by birdying two of the last five holes as he led the two-under 70 group that includes brother Peter Miñoza, Orlan Sumcad, Arnold Villacencio, Peter Villaber and Korean Micah Shin.

The event, organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., is backed by Nike Golf, Empire Golf and Sports Shop, Mizuno, Titleist, Srixon, Foot Joy, Callaway, Pacsports, Custom Clubmakers, Cleveland Golf and Sharp.