Clavecilla seizes 3-shot lead over Hernandez

MANILA, Philippines – Iggy Clavecilla set in motion his bid for a fourth straight championship in the Philippine Senior Amateur Open as he carded an eight-over par 79 to wrest a three-stroke lead over Dave Hernandez at Riviera’s Langer course in Silang, Cavite yesterday.

Clavecilla, who beat Hernandez to complete a three-peat feat last year in the country’s premier event for golfing elders, had three birdies against five bogeys and three double-bogeys to complete a 39-40 round at the hazard-laden par-71 layout.

But that proved enough for the Luisita bet to be in a familiar place as he took charge with two rounds left in the 36-hole tournament organized and conducted by the National Golf Association of the Philippines.

Hernandez, playing out of Calatagan, had only two double bogeys on a windy day but fumbled with eight bogeys with only a birdie to show for an 82 (41-41) while Canlubang mainstay Rolly Viray stood a stroke farther back at 83 on eight bogeys and two double bogeys in the centerpiece Championship Division.

Caloy Coscoluella stayed in the hunt with an 84 while Tony Olives put in rounds of 42 and 44 for an 86 followed by Pepot Inigo’s 87.

Earlier, former President Fidel Ramos and DOTC Secretary and NGAP president Leandro Mendoza hit the ceremonial drives to kick off the three-day tournament which also features competitions in Category II (60-64), Category III (65-69), Super Senior I (70-74) and Super Senior II (75 and above).

Ben Jacinto shot an 83 to open a two-shot lead over Mendoza, and five over Fumio Kawakami in Category II, while Ben Liclican turned in an 81 to post a two-shot lead over Cesar Castro and three over Norman Tugot in Category III.

Peter Shanks scored a 93 to gain a three-shot lead over Richard Heidemann (96) while Philip Dee struggled with a 102 in Super Senior I, while NGAP’s Jun Galindez took a seven-stroke lead in Super Senior II with a 95 with Inigo carding a 102 and Ramos and Enrique Beech scoring 110 and 111, respectively.