Villanueva, Kim in command

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines — Dino Villanueva seized control with a scorching 65 at the start of the ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club yesterday.

Coming off a hole-in-one feat to cap his campaign in last week’s Bacolod Challenge, Villanueva looked unstoppable, torching the Marapara layout with a jaw-dropping 28 on the front nine – a run highlighted by four straight birdies from No. 5 and a pitch-in eagle on the ninth.

“Nilaro ko lang ang fairway at greens, tapos nilalapit ko lang ang mga putts – pero pumapasok,” said Villanueva, who hardly felt the effects of bogeys on No. 11 and 17 on Day 1 of the P2 million championship, which serves as the sixth leg of the 10-stage circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

He led by two over a tightly packed group at 67, headlined by red-hot Keanu Jahns, Reymon Jaraula, Michael Bibat, Dan Cruz, Collin Wheeler and Japan’s Atsushi Ueda.

In women’s play, South Korean Seo Yun Kim took control as the 21-year-old Korean seized solo lead with a gritty one-under 69.

Florence Bisera, Lois Kaye Go, Tiffany Lee, Princess Superal and Angela Mangana all signed for matching 70s to stay within striking distance at the rain-softened Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club course.