Sumcad, nine others qualify for RP Open

Orly Sumcad rode on an explosive frontside stint to fire a one-under par 71 at Riviera’s Couples course yesterday and lead nine other players into the tournament proper of the $150,000 DHL-Philippine Open golf championship slated next week at the adjacent Langer layout.

Sumcad recovered from a missed-green bogey mishap on the par-5 No. 2 with four birdies in the next seven holes for that 33 that anchored his bid in the one-day Open qualifier conducted by the organizing National Golf Association of the Philippines at Riviera’s Couples course.

He actually fumbled with bogeys — three — in the first four holes at the back but Sumcad birdied the par-5 No. 16 to cushion the impact of his faltering finish and formalize his stint in next week’s championship presented by San Miguel Corp.

Four other local bets made the grade with Lito Rempojo finishing tied for second with 73. Other one-over par scorers were Japanese Tomokaru Yoshinaga and Ebarra Quiachon from Lanang.

Edgar Ababa struggled with a three-over 75 but still advanced to the Open by finishing in joint seventh with Korean Kim Chang-hoi, one of the two amateurs who gained berths in the 88th staging of the fabled event sponsored by DHL Express, WWW Express, Pagcor, Mitsubishi Motors, Mizuno, BMG Solar, U-Bix, Nextel and City of Makati.

Randy Garalde fought back with a 37 at the back to salvage a round of 77 and snatch the 10th and last slot. Other qualifiers were Lee Seong-ki, the other amateur from Korea, Cho Min-gyu and Japanese Makoto Konohara.

Teener Remijin Camping failed on her bid to join Fil-Am Ria Quiazon in the Open as the junior club bet limped with an 87.

The DHL-Philippine Open, slated Feb. 26-29, has drawn some of the best players in the region, including Thai ace Boonchu Ruangkit, India’s Jeev Milkha Singha and defending champion Rick Gibson of Canada.

The local challenge is headed by former Open champions Frankie Miñoza, Cassius Casas, Robert Pactolerin and Gerald Rosales.

Meanwhile, the sponsoring DHL Express will provide free transportation to golfing fans to and from Riviera in the last two days of the tournament. Two shuttle buses will leave the Intercon Hotel in Makati at 8 and 9 a.m. For details, call up NGAP at tel. Nos. 525-6987 or 524-5160.