Pinoys storm to 6-shot edge

MANILA, Philippines - Mhark Fernando played true to form and fired a three-under 69 while youthful Miguel Tabuena debuted in the men’s game with a solid 72 as the Philippines pooled a two-under 214 to post a six-shot lead over Thailand at the start of the Putra Cup in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia yesterday.

Fernando, the reigning Indonesian and Malaysian Am champion, strung up a 35-34 round at the Royal Selangor Golf Club to power the Filipinos’ hot start in the 50th staging of the annual championship otherwise known as the Southeast Asia Golf Championship.

Tabuena, moving up from last year’s junior team to the men’s squad, actually led RP’s charge with a sizzling 33 at the front but the 15-year-old shotmaker slowed down at the back with a 39 for that 72.

With Jhonnel Ababa carding a 73, the Philippines took charge with a 214, six shots ahead of Thailand, which swept last year’s Putra Cup, Santi Cup and the Lion City Cup at home but could only come up with a mediocre 220 yesterday.

Jerson Balasabas made a 76 and didn’t count for the ICTSI-backed Team RP, whose campaign is sanctioned by the National Golf Association of the Phils.

The Philippines is seeking an end to a 14-year title drought in the four-to-play, three-to-count format event celebrating its golden year at its home course. The RP Cuppers last won in 1996 also in Malaysia.

Atthachai Jaichalad fired a 71 and Poom Saksansin made a 73 but Wasin Sripattranusorn and Suparkorn Utaipat groped for identical 76s, one of which counted for Thailand.

Myanmar grabbed third spot with a 228 while Malaysia, failing to flash its familiarity with the layout, stood at 229 in a tie with Singapore. Indonesia lay too far behind at 233.

The 18-and-under squad, led by reigning national champion Clyde Mondilla likewise came through with a fine start of 226 to pace the Lion City Cup, four strokes ahead of Thailand, which had a 230, while Singapore turned in a 231 and Malaysia pooled a 232.

Mondilla matched par 72 while Miggy Yee and Jobim Carlos put in 76 and 78, respectively, for Team RP’s 226 aggregate. Andres Saldana failed to count with an 80.

Fernando and Mondilla also took the day’s top individual honors.

But while the men’s and boys teams sizzled, the RP girls floundered as reigning national champion Irina Gabasa and Andie Unson carded identical 75s and Chihiro Ikeda made a 77 for a 227, 11 strokes behind Thailand, which assembled an even 216.

Dottie Ardina, winner of last week’s Karambunai Open, limped home with a 78 and failed to count.

Yupaporn Kawinpakorn shot a 69 to lead Thailand’s title-retention bid with Paraisa Yok Tuan and Pinrath Looboonruang backing her up with 73 and 74 for a 216.

Malaysia also shot a 227 to tie RP at second.