MANILA, Philippines - The father-and-son tandem of Martin and Santi Lorenzo emerged as team to beat in the battle for the coveted low gross plum while Kim Tai-kuen and his guest partner Park Jee surged ahead in the low net race going into the weekend play of the 20th Sta. Elena Cup, the member-guest event of the Sta. Elena Golf Club in Cabuyao, Laguna.
Santi carried the fight for his team with rounds of 35 and 34 equivalent to one-over-par and two-over-par gross while the elder Lorenzo made 27-28 in the difficult conditions to put themselves at the top of the standings of the five-day tourney presented by Omega, Lexus, Royal Caribbean/Baron Travel and Sta. Elena Properties.
Kim chalked up rounds of 40-39 while Park had 40-32 for 151 to finish a point ahead of Cesar Wongchuking and Daki Fonacier who had 150 and five ahead of Gerry Zorilla and Arnold Jumalon.
At the end of the competition today, a lucky participant is set to drive home a Lexus IS350 worth P2.598 million which will be raffled off as the grand prize with all 540 participants entitled to win it including premium watches from Omega, golf equipment from Mizuno, among others.
Lexus is also offering the same car as a hole-in-one prize on the 17th hole while Royal Caribbean is putting at stake a cruise, Mizuno a P100,00 gift certificate and Turf Co. a Club Car. The other sponsors are Jewelmer, Rimowa, Integrated Computer Systems, MAA General Assurance Philippines, Club Car, Turf Company, Glenlivet, Peerless (Champion, Fabricon, Hanna and Systema), Selecta Ice Cream and Philippine Tordjman Salon.
Also leading in the individual play were Zorilla for Round 1 with his 44 net points and Justin Limjap and Edward Francisco with their 36 gross.