LaO cards gutsy 70, leads by 1

GEN. TRIAS, Cavite, Philippines – Cookie LaO survived a day-long ordeal at the challenging Eagle Ridge’s Dye Course and shot a two-under par to gain a one-stroke lead over Tony Lascuña at the start of the ICTSI Eagle Ridge Invitational here yesterday.

LaO bucked a bogey on No. 3 with three birdies in the next four holes then came out of a 30-minute delay due to rains with a birdie on No. 11 to negate his only other bogey on the 12th and complete a superb 34-36.

“It was really tough out there and the rains made the course longer and a lot tougher,” said LaO, out to atone for his so-so 27th place finish in the kickoff leg of the Philippine Golf Tour.

Lascuña, taking a break from the Asian Tour, misread a par-putt from four feet in the rain on No. 18 for bogey, as he missed joining LaO in the lead in the 54-hole tournament sponsored by ICTSI (International Container Terminal Services, Inc.) and backed by MJ Carr Golf. He had a 71.

Gene Bondoc matched par 72 while Joenard Rates carded a 73.

Zarate carded a two-over 74 for a tie with Juanito Pagunsan, Ruben Sasutil, Christopher delos Santos, Michael Bibat, Peter Miñoza and Richard Abaring, while joining Dumandan in 12th place are Benjie Magada, Elmer Saban and amateurs Tonton Asistio and Mhark Fernando.

Juvic Pagunsan, opting to compete here than in the Ballantine’s Championship in South Korea, proved to be the day’s biggest casualty as he skied to an 81.