Gibson seizes 2-shot lead

TRECE MARTIRES, Cavite — The resurgence of a former Open champ, the presence of Bantam Ben Arda, the swirling winds and the monstrous traffic jam failed to ruffle Rick Gibson as the Canadian ace came through with a solid four-under par 68 yesterday to seize a two-stroke lead in the first round of the rich Ericsson-Smart zed Sherwood Hills Classic here.

Gibson stayed focused on a wind-blown day and gunned down five birdies, including a spectacular chip-in from 30 feet on the 10th, then the former Japan Tour campaigner pounced on Robert Pactolerin’s momentary collapse on the middle holes to emerge on top of a star-studded leaderboard.

Pactolerin, a former RP Open champ out to atone for his mediocre stints in the first two legs of the new golf circuit at Southwoods and Camp John Hay, birdied four of his first five holes in the opening round that had to be delayed for two hours due to a monstrous traffic jam in a major thoroughfare leading to the course.

But Pactolerin bogeyed the seventh then drove into the water on the monster ninth hole for a double-bogey and the long-hitting pro needed a big birdie on his last hole — the 10th — to salvage solo second place with a 70 on nines of 39-31.

While top guns Cassius Casas, Danny Zarate and Rodrigo Cuello opted to hold their guns with even-par 72s at the challenging Sherwood layout, Arda nearly stole the show with a round of 122 — his first full 18-hole walk in nearly 10 years.

Forced to retire when he suffered a stroke, Arda was just so excited to have completed the round despite the sweltering heat — and his score.

"I’m so happy to have finished my round today. You’ll see me here again tomorrow (today)," said Arda, who played with borrowed clubs. He is currently a teaching pro at Alabang.

Arda will be given a Hall of Fame award by the Philippine Tour organizers in today’s pro-am awards ceremonies.

Joselito Rempojo, three under after seven holes, settled for a 71 and a tie for third with Ruben Sasutil — just a stroke ahead of Casas’ group that also included Carito Villaroman and Mars Pucay.

Complementing his accuracy off the tee with the wonders of a new distance ball, the 39-year-old Gibson was even par through nine holes but his chip-in birdie on the 10th sparked a big run that saw the World Cup veteran rack up a tap-in birdie on the 12th, another from 12 feet on the 13th and another easy one on the 15th where he reached the green in two.

The Canadian who tied for second at Southwoods then placed fourth at Camp John Hay gave extra credit to the new Titleist Pro V ball which has given him added yardage. — Dante Navarro