Bondoc solid with 68, trails by six

MANILA, Philippines - Gene Bondoc emerged the surprised leading Filipino scorer in the Brunei Open yesterday, firing a bogey-free three under 68, six shots behind a hot-starting Thammanoon Srirot of Thailand at the start of the $300,000 event in Bandar Seri Begawan yesterday.

Bondoc carded two 34s and stood in joint 14th with 13 others as Srirot ripped the par-71 Empire Hotel and Country Club with a flawless round of nine birdies, including a sterling 29 at the frontside, for a two-stroke lead over Siddikur of Bangladesh, which scored an ace on No. 4 en route to a 64.

Former RP Open winner Gerald Rosales hit a 69 in his best start since coming off a long layoff due to wrist injury, while Mars Pucay and Juvic Pagunsan shot identical 70s and Tony Lascuña matched par 71.

The other RP bets, however, struggled with Ferdie Aunzo (73), Artemio Murakami (74), Jay Bayon (74) and Angelo Que (75) all below the projected cutoff line.