MANILA, Philippines – Ira Alido leaned on his iron game to save a one-over 73 and grab a share of the lead with Carl Corpus after two rounds of the NGAP Northern Luzon Regional Golf Championships at the Luisita Golf and Country Club course in Tarlac yesterday.
Counting his opening 76, Alido pooled a 149 as Corpus fumbled with a 75 after a 74 while Aidric Chan, who shared the first round lead with Corpus, limped home with a career worst 12-over 84 to virtually bow out of contention at 158 heading to the final 18 holes in the centerpiece men’s elite division of the event organized and conducted by the National Golf Association of the Philippines.
Wei Wei Gao turned in the day’s best score of even par 72 to move to third at 150 while Luis Castro shot a 73 and stayed in the hunt with a 151.
Other 158 scorers were Paolo Uy, Carlo Gatmaitan and Nico Evangelista, who made a 76, 81 and 82, respectively.
In ladies play, Harmie Constantino all but wrapped up the crown with a 75 for a 148, posting a whopping 17-shot lead over Ashia Nocum, who hobbled with a 79 for a 165, in the tournament held as part of the PLDT National Amateur Golf Tour and sponsored by the MVP Sports Foundation.
Samantha Dizon scored an 86 to likewise pull away in the Novice Division with a 169 as Wei Fang Gao struggled with an 86 for a 190.
Valentin Lopez continued to dominate the Mid-Am Open with a 78 for a 160 while Noli Singca shot a 87 and Kennedy Feliciano carded an 83 to show the way in the Seniors I and Mid-Am categories.