Abdon plays it bold, up by two

MANILA, Philippines - Young gun John Kier Abdon made his presence felt eight months into his pro career, firing a steady two under-par 70 to vault into the lead halfway through the P3.5 million ICTSI Tournament Players’ Championship at the Southlinks Golf Club in Las Piñas yesterday.

 Abdon threw caution in the wind, attacking the tight layout with his driver and it paid off as he hit 12 of 14 fairways and racked up five birdies to negate his three bogeys in a big follow-up to his opening 69 to grab a two-stroke lead over Mars Pucay and two others wtih a five-under-par 139 total.

Pucay carded a bogey-free four-under 68, Mhark Fernando and James Ryan Lam shot identical 71s to move up as overnight leader Rufino Bayron and erstwhile second-running Rolando Marabe fumbled big-time with woeful 79 and 77, respectively.

Elmer Sablan (70) and Clyde Mondilla (73) are in joint fifth with two-under par 142 heading to the last 36 holes of the final leg of the 16-stage circuit sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc. and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

“It was a steady round for me. I hit my drive in the fairway and I just made a few mistakes,” said Abdon, who marked his pro debut at Splendido where he placed 34th.

Teeing off on No. 10, the 22-year-old birdied two of his first four holes but hit an “unlucky” drive on the par-5 No. 14 that kicked left and rolled into a steep bunker and missed an eight-footer for par. He, however, bounced back with a 12-foot downhill putt for a 34.

Abdon, who has had a number of forgettable finishes heading to this event, backed by Nike Golf, Pacsports Phils. Inc., Srixon, Callaway, Mizuno, Empire Golf, Footjoy, Titleist, Custom Clubmakers, Sharp, KZG and Rudy Project, three-putted No. 3 for bogey but birdied Nos. 4 and 6 from close range.

But he holed out with a second straight bogey on the par-4 No. 9 where he sliced his drive and had to play out before reaching the green in three.

“The course is tight but I didn’t get scared of it because I know I can put my tee shot in the fairway,” said Abdon, who as an amateur, was part of the Orchard team that ruled last summer’s PAL Interclub Championship.

After struggling with a 73, Pucay rebounded mightily with a flawless 36-32 as he moved to joint second from 14th. He parred his first 11 holes but rattled four straight birdies from No. 12 inside five feet to fuel his climb.

“Medyo nag-aalalay ako sa tee shots kahapon (I was somehow holding back on my tee shots in the first round). Today, I got a little more aggressive),” said Pucay, who opted for his 3-wood and 5-wood off the mound over his driver.

Fernando, also leaning on his 3-wood off the tee, posted a 35-36 round after a first round 70 to move two places up.

“Medyo mahirap ang course, Dapat tiwala ka sa palo, isang mali lang pwede kang ma-two stroke. Kailangang ingatan ang drive para maatake ang green (It’s a tough course so you have to drive well so you can attack the green),” said Fernando.

Lam, who wielded his 3-iron throughout, produced a second-straight 69 to stay within striking distance and in the hunt of his first victory.

The four made their move as Bayron faltered. After pacing the field with 67 Tuesday, Bayron slumped with a double-bogey, bogey, and triple bogey in his first nine holes and a bogey-bogey-birdie showing in his last nine. From leading by two, Bayron found himself trailing the new leader by seven with his two-over par 146.

Marabe proved slightly better than Bayron as he stayed inside the Top 10 at joint eighth (145, six off) despite a 38-39 marred by three double bogeys and two bogeys against three birdies.

Forty-one players made the cut at 155 with Jhonnel Ababa missing the last 36 holes with a 156 after an 80 while Arnold Villacencio, winner at ICTSI Summit, turning in an 85 for an atrocious 19-over 163.