Fernando opens one-shot lead in Cangolf Am

Former national champion Anthony Fernando fumbled with a bogey on the 18th and wound up with an even par 72, settling for a one-stroke lead over ICTSI teammate Peter Villaber at the start of the ninth Canlubang Amateur Open Golf Championship at the Cangolf’s north course in Canlubang yesterday.

Fernando, trying to regain his old form following so-so finishes in various tournaments here and abroad, made four birdies in the rain-hit tournament, including a back-to-back birdie start but had one double-bogey and two bogeys for a 37-35 card.

Still, that was enough to give him the solo lead as the rest of the field struggled under tough playing conditions with Villaber dropping a stroke on No. 16 and missing joining Fernando at the helm with a 73.

Dante Becierra, another ICTSI bet priming up for his defense of the Hong Kong Amateur Open crown next week, hobbled with a double-bogey on No. 3 and had a roller-coaster round of three birdies and three bogeys the rest of the way for a 74 for a three-way tie for third with Sta. Elena’s Ian Mathay and defending champion Jhonnel Ababa of Calatagan.

Mathay fought back from a four-over par card with two birdies in the last five holes as he finished with a 39-35 while Ababa had three bogeys against a birdie in a 38-36 round in the tournament backed by Seamecor Inc., Nature’s Spring, Unilever Food Solutions, Zuellig Pharma Phils., Pacsports, Ayala Land Premier, Pisanti Golf, Otsuka Pharmaceuticals and All Visual and Lights Systems.

Tonton Asistio, one of the top ICTSI players tipped to contend for the crown, blew a one-under card after nine holes with a 40 at the back as he tumbled to joint sixth at 75 with Cangolf’s Mark Fernando and Zanieboy Gialon and Joey Huerva.

Brent Sumampong and James Ryan Lam were tied for 10th with 76s while Choi Min Sik of Eagle Ridge had a 77 followed by Jobim Carlos, Ariel Villasencio, Gino Bunyi and Cho Han Pyo, who turned in identical 78s.

Tommy Manotoc strung up nines of 40-39 to lead the 79 scorers who included Lee Heun, Sonny Villaber, Art Arbole and Paul Echavez.