Aussies lead Nomura Cup; Pinoys 6th

Powerhouse Australia opened up a two-stroke lead over Singapore yesterday while the Philippines got its bid going by sharing sixth place in the opening round of the 29th Nomura Cup at the Manila Southwoods Masters course in Carmona, Cavite.

Jack Buchanan fired a six-under-par 66 on seven birdies including two on the last three holes and a bogey while Quinnton Bryce Croker added a 60 for Australia’s 135 that propelled the golfers from Down Under past Singapore, which had a 66 from James Leow and a 71 from John Ryan Ang.

Chinese-Taipei and Japan stood in third place at 138 while defending champion Thailand, boosted by a 66 from Arsit Areephun, occupied solo fifth.

The Philippines served notice of its championship potential by sharing sixth spot with Korea, New Zealand and Malaysia but not after its top gun Kristoffer Arevalo muffed a solid front nine charge.

Arevalo birdied five holes in the opening nine and was still five under through 12 holes until he bogeyed four straight holes from the 13th. He managed to birdie the last hole for two-under 70 and with Jacob Rolida carding a steady 71 on his international play debut, the Philippines wound up with a 141 total.

“It was more on technique issues with my (reverse grip) putting that got me on that bad streak. I left myself with virtually no chance to save par on those holes,” said Arevalo.

All Filipino players played well on the first day of the 16-nation event as Elee Bisera chalked up a no-count 72 on five birdies and the same number of bogeys.