Bayron settles for third

SINGAPORE – Rufino Bayron birdied two of the last four holes to card a two-under 69 and take solo third in the Singapore Open Amateur Championship ruled by Aussie Tim Stewart at the Singapore Island Country Club’s Bukit Course here yesterday.

Bayron, tied with Thai Kiradech Aphibarnrat in second place and five behind Stewart at the start of the day, bogeyed No. 1 and had a roller coaster round of three birdies against two more birdies in the next 13 holes.

But he knocked in a five-foot birdie putt on the 14th then birdied the par-5 18th from six feet for a 35-34 card.

That capped Bayron’s sterling performance in what was only his second international stint where he completed a run of under-par rounds that included a 71, 70 and 69 to emerge the best Filipino performer with a five-under 279.

Although he wound up six behind Stewart’s winning 273 and two off Aphibarnrat’s second place effort of 67-277, Bayron’s solid outing firmed up his bid for one of the slots in the RP team to next month’s Nomura Cup and the SEA Games in December.

Stewart, who took control with two 69s and a 67 in the first three rounds, sustained his form by gunning down five birdies to negate his two bogeys for a closing 68.

Over in Hong Kong, Dante Becierra shot a four-under 68 but dropped to second with 211 heading into the final round of the Hong Kong Amateur Open paced by Edward Richardson, who sizzled with a 67 for a 210, at the Clearwater Bay Golf and Country Club course.

Reigning national champion Anthony Fernando dropped a stroke on No. 15 and matched par 71 for the third straight time, finishing tied for fourth with ICTSI teammate Ferdie Aunzo (72) and Taiwanese Chiang Chen-chih (68) at 283.

Mark Fernando limped with a 75 to finish tied for 11 that 288; Jhonnel Ababa shared 15th place with a 289 after a 73; Michael Bibat matched par 71 and wound up 18th with a 290, while Miko Alejandro and Mario Labajo were tied for 23rd with 294s after a 73 and 74, respectively.