Santia one shot up; Villaroman scores albatross

Vic Santia fired a two-under 70 in benign conditions and opened a one-stroke lead over Ruben Sasutil in the the Strong Republic Nautical Highway Super Golf Tour at Villamor yesterday.

Santia birdied four of the last nine holes, conceding bogeys in No.6 and 11 birdies for a 37-33 card, one of only two sub-par scores in the round which also determined the 22 qualifers for the P2-million event.

Despite ideal conditions, most of the pros struggled in the kick-off leg, only the third in their calendar saice the RP Open last Febtruary.

Only six players shot par or better, with Cassius Casas leading a four-man group tied for third with 72s. Top favorite Angelo Que got a fat 84 to bring up the rear in 40-man group, which will go to the Visayas and Mindanao for the remaining five legs.

Only 18 of the top 20 players based on the 2003 Order of Merit teed off, with Eddie Bagtas disqualified for not having a Games and Amusements Board license and Peter Miñoza not showing up.

Julio Cup champion Ramil Bisera, and Antonio Lascuna, the winners of the local tour’s first two tournaments, had 73s like Teroy Nadales and Lito Rempojo for fourth spot.

Eight players tied for fifth with 74s, but none of them sparkled like Carito Villaroman, who had a six-over card going into his final two holes after playing a four-hole stretch from No. 12 at five-over.

But he birdied the 17th after sticking a short iron to within four feet before coming up with the shot of the day, a double-eagle on the par-5 finishing hole using a three-wood from 245 yards with a Callaway ball.

It was only the fifth albatross on record at Villamor, the first coming on Sept. 6, 1967 by the revered Celestino Tugot, and the last by a Korean in 1989. It was the first double-eagle for Villaroman, who also made the last of his four holes-in-one during the Open for a brand-new car.

A total of 80 players teed it up and there were 10 who tied in the cut line of 77. Joenard Rates won the last slot available after a regulation par 4 on No. 3 when Arnold Villacensio sliced his drive out of bounds.

Eleuterio Nival (72), Rodolfo Enema (72), Rodolfo Cuello Jr. (74), Jess Toribio (74), Edwin Sanchez (74), Edwin Estrera (75), Ebarra Quiachon (75), Rogelio Antonio (75), Rey Alo (75), Randy Garalde (75), Vicente Vanial (76), Edgar Ababa (76), George Abad (76), Richard Abaring (76), Elmer Arcillas (76), Cookie La’O (76), Oliver Seno (76) and Jherome Delariarte (76), qualified for the tournament proper like Bisera, Nadales, Rates and Rempojo.

The field will have a two-week break before heading for the tough grind that starts at the Malarayat layout in Lipa, Batangas on the 26th. The third round will be played at the Fairways and Bluewater course in Boracay the following day.

The 28th will be a rest day for the field, as it travels to Bacolod for the fourth round at the Marapara. The Pueblo de Oro course will be the site of the fifth round and the final 18 will be played at tough Del Monte in Bukidnon on the 31st.