Storm-hit World Am reduced to 54

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines got stranded in the second round of the World Amateur Golf Championships reduced to 54 holes due to stormy weather with Denmark taking the provisional lead with a 280 after a 141 at the Buenos Aires Golf Club in Argentina Friday.

Play was first suspended at 9 a.m. (Argentina time) due to thunderstorm and resumed at 11:50 a.m. only to be stopped again on 4:50 p.m. due to lightning, forcing the organizers to suspend play and reduce the 72-hole competition to 54 holes.

The RP golfers, who had a horrible 12-over 156 in the first round, pooled a five-over card when play was halted with Mhark Fernando scoring a two-over card after six holes and Jhonnel Ababa and Judson Eustaquio carding three-over 39s at the turn.

Denmark, with a three-under 141, made its move in the rain to gain the lead at 280. The Danes were among the 35 of the 69 teams in the field to complete play.

They hold a lead over teams that failed to finish their rounds. Canada stood at five-under after three holes and first day leader France was at three-under through nine holes.

The second round was suspended twice and then called for the day because of dangerous weather and course conditions. It will resume at 9 a.m. Saturday.

Following completion of the round and a re-draw based on scores, the third round will begin in the mid-to-late afternoon. The leading teams will play at Buenos Aires Golf Club in the third round and the lower half will play at Olivos Golf Club. The championship is now reduced to 54 holes and will conclude on Sunday.

The United States jumped to a provisional tie for fifth at one-under-par 285 while New Zealand stood at even par 286.

The Philippines, whose campaign is sanctioned by the NGAP and backed by ICTSI and Philippine Sports Commission, wavered early with a 156 in the first round and is hard-pressed to do better in the second round to bounce back into contention.

But with playing condition proving tougher, the RP golfers would need to toughen up at resumption of play to improve on their opening 51st place effort Thursday.

Team RP finished joint 27th last time in Australia but the ICTSI-backed ladies team of Dottie Ardina, Chihiro Ikeda and Mia Piccio made a superb joint eighth finish in last week’s Espirito Santo Trophy, the best-ever by the team in the biennial event.