MANILA, Philippines - Gene Bondoc took charge of the field that sputtered under tough playing condition at the Forest Hills Golf Club, carding a one-under par 70 to open a one-stroke lead over Richard Sinfuego at the start of the P1 million ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour in Antipolo, Rizal yesterday.
Bondoc, raring to dish out a solid finish after so-so performances in the first seven legs of the circuit, surged past Sinfuego with a birdie on the 17th as he strung up a 34-36 round in a breezy day on the hazard-laden par-71 layout.
The former national team mainstay, mired in 34th place in the Order of Merit ranking, bucked a bogey start with back-to-back birdies from No. 6, reeled back to even par with another bogey on No. 15 before birdying the par-4 No. 17 to submit the only under-par round in the day.
Sinfuego, who dropped to No. 2 in OOM standing after the ICTSI-Royal Northwoods Classic topped by Ferdie Aunzo, had a one-under card after nine holes with a birdie on No. 3. But he fumbled with two bogeys on Nos. 10 and 14 against a birdie on No. 13 for that 71.
Jay Bayron, taking a break from the Asian Tour, blew a two-under card after four holes with five bogeys against two more birdies, settling for a one-over 72 to drop into a tie with veteran Robert Pactolerin, who also faltered coming home with a 38 on a course marked by rugged terrains and sleek putting surface.
Cookie La’O, Erwin Vinluan and Ramil Bisera shot identical 73s while leg winners Danny Zarate and Aunzo had contrasting rounds of 74 to launch their respective bids for a second title in the 10-leg circuit sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc.
Aunzo, who held off Rey Pagunsan in the final round to win at Royal Northwoods and grab the OOM lead, opened and closed his round with back-to-back bogeys although he came up with three birdies against one more bogey for a 35-39 card.
Zarate, winner at ICTSI-Mt. Malarayat Championship, the kickoff leg of the P10 million tour backed by MJ Carr Golf Management, Pisanti, Srixon, FAMI, Business Mirror, Motorola, Omnisource, Nike Golf, Tiger Gatorade and Pepsico, had four bogeys against two birdies for a 37-37 card.
Meanwhile, Miguel Tabuena had one birdie against three bogeys and a double-bogey to emerge the top amateur with a four-over 75, just five shots off the pace and five ahead of Bryan Lee (80), Dino Villanueva (80) and SEA Games-bound Rufino Bayron (81).