Michael Bibat storms to two-stroke lead after a 66

SILANG, Cavite, Philippines — Michael Bibat flashed a near-impeccable iron game and putting and tamed Langer’s tough backside with a 32, leading to a five-under 66 and a two-stroke edge over Englishman Grant Jackson and three other local aces at the start of the ICTSI Riviera Classic here yesterday.

Bibat came through with a pair of back-to-back birdie feats inside six feet from Nos. 12 and 15 to launch his title drive then kept his spot on top of the huge 120-player international field with a two-birdie, one-bogey effort at the front of the dreaded par-71 layout.

“The game plan was to hit the fairway and near the target and I’m glad I made some good approach shots and my putting clicked,” said Bibat, who placed tied for second with Korean ace amateur Tom Kim here behind last year’s winner Clyde Mondilla.

Despite his joint 18th finish in last week’s Philippine Masters, Bibat said he’s enjoying top form and his superb start this week more than served notice of his bid for a first crown since scoring a breakthrough at Rancho Palos Verdes in 2013.

But the former Asian Games bronze medalist expects the going to get tougher and rougher in the next three days of the $100,000 event sponsored by ICTSI with Jackson, Charles Hong, Jun Bernis and Erwin Arcillas putting their own title bids in motion with 68s.