Villaroman, Vinluan set pace in RP Open elims

Carito Villaroman and amateur Erwin Vinluan carded identical one-under par 71s under scorching heat to lead the hunt for RP Open berths in the two-day qualifier at Villamor Golf Club yesterday.

Villaroman, who placed joint 72nd in last year’s Open ruled by Frankie Miñoza, birdied the par-3 17th to complete a 35-36 round that included three other birdies against the same number of bogeys.

Still, it was enough to put Villaroman on top of the 43-player field, including 25 pros and 18 amateurs, chasing 10 slots in next week’s Philippine Open slated at Wack Wack.

Vinluan, a former member of the national team, bucked a double-bogey 7 on No. 2 with a solid backside stint that saw him gun down three birdies for a 33 and a share of the lead with Villaroman heading to the last 18 holes of the elims.

Another amateur, Jam Tambogon, matched par 72 on a final hole birdie for third while John Pactolerin also birdied No. 18 to shoot a 73 for fourth in the tournament conducted by the National Golf Association of the Philippines.

Three other amateurs took the next three spots with Rufino Bayron, member of the national pool, salvaging a 74 after dropping two strokes in the last three holes.

Gene Bondoc, veteran of the Asian Games, and Ian Mathay both shot 75s to join pro Hanson So Jr. in sixth place while Jose Dolojan, Edwin Sanchez, Jun Cedo and five others shared ninth place with identical 76s.

Other four-over par scorers were Ronald Pactolerin, Joel Pilac, Rolando Marabe and amateurs Paul Echavez and Jessie Balasabas.

Only the top 10 finishers after today’s second round will gain berths in the 92nd staging of the Open, firing off April 3 at Wack Wack’s east layout.

Others in the hunt are Ronnie Torrecampo, Vic Santia, Jun Bernis and amateur Mariano Reanturco, who all had 77s, and Gary Sales and Sonny Boy Gialon, both amateurs, who scored 78s.

Asian Games bronze medalist and Konica Minolta pro-am winner Michael Bibat birdied No. 1 but struggled the rest of the way, finishing with 43 and 40 for an 83.