Dutch ties Jay, seeks record win

CEBU, Philippines – Dutch Guido Van der Valk threatened to become the first foreign player to win on the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour as he turned in a six-under par 66 to tie Jay Bayron at the helm in the second round of the Aboitiz Cebu Country Club Invitational here yesterday.

Van der Valk, one of the four players who shot 69 in Wednesday’s first round, banged in six birdies against a lone bogey then hit another birdie on the closing par-5 of the Cebu Country Club to highlight his round of 33-33 for a 135, moving within 18 holes from completing what he had failed to do in the Philippine Open last year.

Bayron eagled the par-5 11th then birdied the 17th to fire a three-under 69 in one of the late afternoon flights as he caught up with Van der Valk, who drew level with the Filipino bet at the turn with that 33 then surged ahead with a birdie on No. 10.

“I got so concerned with the other (tougher) holes that I lost my concentration out there a little bit,” said Van der Valk, referring to the short par-4 No. 14 which he reached in four for his lone black mark in an otherwise solid card with seven birdies.

The 30-year-old Dutch will thus go for a record of sort on the local tour presented by International Container Terminal Services, Inc. while trying to atone for his setback to Elmer Salvador in the RP Open at Mt. Malarayat last December.

Van der Valk also lost to Artemio Murakami in the second playoff hole for top honors in the Asian Tour Qualifying School in Thailand last January.

Bayron, meanwhile, is back at a very familiar place, the fifth time in the season that he has at least a share of the lead heading into the final round. He wound up with three runner-up finishes for his best result.

“Those are things of the past. What’s important is tomorrow (today) and I need to shoot a four-under for me to have a good chance to win,” said Bayron, who hit a rescue shot from 230 yards to within five feet for that on No. 11.

With the next three players – Juvic Pagunsan, Marvin Dumandan and Jun Bernis – standing three strokes behind at 138, the battle for the top P200,000 purse could be reduced to a two-man affair. Pagunsan, one of three players who were disqualified for a final hole infraction in the last ICTSI-PGT leg at Del Monte, rallied with a 33 at the back for a four-under 68. Dumandan slowed down after an opening 34 for a 70, while Bernis carded a 71 as the troika pooled identical six-under 138s heading into the final round of the P1 million event sponsored by Aboitiz Equity Ventures.

Murakami also blew a solid 34 with a 37 for a 71, dropping to solo sixth with a 139 while Ferdie Aunzo missed joining the 138 group with a double-bogey on the 18th for a 69, tumbling down instead to joint seventh with fancied Angelo Que and Frankie Miñoza at four-under 140.

Que, fresh from his victory at Asian Tour’s Selangor Masters last weekend, carded two 35s for a 70 while Miñoza also eagled No. 11 but dropped two strokes on the par-4 14th for a 71.

Mhark Fernando remained the top amateur in the field with a 142 after a 72 while unheralded Bayani Garcia fired a 71 to close in at 143. Jhonnel Ababa had a 144 after a 74 while Peter Villaber bounced back with a two-under 70 for a 145 in a tie with Jerson Balasabas, who had a 72, and reigning champion Clyde Mondilla, who turned in a 71.

ICTSI-Orchard leg winner Benjie Magada struggled with a 75 for a 149 and missed the cut by one with Richard Sinfuego, one of the three players who were disqualified in the last leg at Del Monte, clinching the last spot despite a 77.

The event is backed by MJ Carr Golf Management, Jaguar, Land Rover, Studio 23, Balls TV, Srixon/Cleveland Golf, Callaway Golf, Odyssey and Golf Punk and media partners Business Mirror, Inquirer Golf Monthly, A Round of Golf, Pinoygolfer.com and Omnisource.