Lascuña 4 adrift in Mercedes Tour

MANILA, Philippines - Tony Lascuña eagled the par-5 14th to card a two-under par 69 to trail Nadeem Inayat of Pakistan by four strokes at the start of the Singha Pattaya Open of the Mercedes-Benz Tour at the Burapha Golf and Resort in Pattaya, Thailand yesterday.

Lascuña actually made a sizzling start of three straight birdies from No. 2 but dropped shots on No. 5, 12 and 17th against an eagle on the 14th for a 34-35 round at the par-71 layout.

He stood in joint seventh with Thais Prom Meesawat and Ronnachai Jamnong, four shots behind Inayat, who opened with four straight birdies en route to a 31-34 card and a one-stroke lead over Kritsada Rangwat, who had a 66, and two ahead of Kwanchaai Tannin, who turned in a 67.

Rory Hie, Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Pravee Visalkit all had 68s.

Marvin Dumandan birdied three of the first seven holes but wavered coming home and settled for an even par 71 for a share of 20th.