MANILA, Philippines - Reigning national champion Mhark Fernando shot a bogey-free three-under par 69 to post a one-stroke lead over Rufino Bayron in the first round of the initial stage of the two-leg Nomura Cup qualifier at Riviera’s Couples course in Silang, Cavite yesterday.
Fernando, the Calatagan mainstay and member of the team that failed in its title bid in the Putra Cup in Thailand last week, birdied Nos. 2, 4 and 11 to string nines of 34-35 and pace the six-player field fighting for four berths in the RP team that will compete in the Nomura Cup slated Sept. 15-18 in Korea.
Bayron, who sizzled with a seven-under par 65 in the final round to lift Team RP to third in the Putra Cup, gunned down three straight birdies from No. 5 and made the turn at 33. But he stumbled with back-to-back bogeys from No. 10, recovered with birdies on Nos. 13 and 15 but dropped a stroke on No. 17 to drop to second with a 70.
Alvin Engino, hoping to clinch a spot in the national team, turned in a one-over 73 to place third while Antonio Asistio II and Peter Villaber, the other members of the ICTSI golf team in the Putra Cup squad, came in with identical 74s.
Jhonnel Ababa, one of the country’s top amateurs, struggled with a three-over par 75.
The six players slug it out in the first 54-hole elims ending Friday with the final three rounds slated next week, also at Riviera’s Couples layout.
The top four players will then make up the RP team competing against the top teams in the Asia-Pacific region, headed by defending champion Australia, at the Namseoul Country Club in Seoul, Korea.