Dulay keeps 3-shot lead despite a 74

MANILA, Philippines –  Chepe Dulay struggled with a four-over 74 but kept his overnight three-shot lead intact over Paul Echavez halfway through the NGAP (National Golf Association of the Philippines) Visayas Regional Amateur Championship at the Marapara layout in Bacolod yesterday.

Dulay, who fired the lone under-par round of 68 in the first round to seize control, failed to sustain his charge, so did his pursuers, enabling the 19-year-old La Salle student to stay on top with a 142 aggregate.

That was three shots clear off Echavez, who also carded a 74 for a 145 while Korean Min Jim-Kim shot the day’s best of 72 in a rain-delayed round to move up to third at 148 with two rounds left in the event presented by Pancake House and SOC Land.

JR Tanpinco, who finished second to Ferdie Aunzo in the Philippine Amateurs also at the Marapara three years ago, assembled a second straight 75 to tie former junior standout Justin Limjap at 150 in the tournament backed by Great Depot, Callaway and Odyssey Golf and Marapara.

Paul Vesinica, a caddy playing out of the Bacolod Golf Club in Binitin, skied to a 78 after an opening 73 and found himself nine shots off the pace at 151 while Migo Ochoa made a 78 for a 152.

The top three placers coming from the region will earn all-expense-paid trips to Manila to play in the 2011 Philippine Amateurs slated April 12-15 at The Riviera in Silang, Cavite.