Rains halt 1st round of ICTSI Malarayat

MANILA, Philippines -  Heavy downpour halted play in the first round of the $50,000 ICTSI-Mt. Malarayat Championship with around 45 players out of the starting field of 90 completing just five holes at the Mt. Malarayat Golf and Country Club in Lipa, Batangas yesterday.

“We called off the round at 3 p.m. due to continuous rains. No way the course could hold up to resume play,” said rulesman Henry Arabelo.

He added that those who were able to play five holes will resume their respective rounds at 6:30 a.m. today (Thursday) with the rest to play 36 holes in what could turn out to be a test of endurance.

Fancied Juvic Pagunsan was among those stranded at the clubhouse as he was set to tee off at 11:35 a.m. at the backside with Thai ace Atthaphon Prathummanee and Jun Bernis.

Pagunsan is tipped to contend for the top $8,126 purse in the 72-hole championship serving as the second leg of the ASEAN Golf Tour owing to his fine form that produced back-to-back victories on the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour the last three weeks.

He won one leg on the ASEAN circuit last year and went on to top the Order of Merit derby with earnings of $25,450 after playing in seven of 10 events.

But he faces a tough challenge this week, not only from the crack Thailand contingent but also from the local side headed by Jay Bayron, Artemio Murakami, Ferdie Aunzo, Tony Lascuña, Mars Pucay, Rufino Bayron, Elmer Salvador, Cassius Casas, Richard Sinfuego, Orlan Sumcad, Jhonnel Ababa, Mhark Fernando, Anthony Fernando and Marvin Dumandan.

Prathummanee, runner-up to compatriot Prom Meesawat in the tour’s inaugurals last month in Thailand, heads a strong 21-player Thai contingent, including Thanyakon Khrongpha, Wisut Artjanawat, Wiitawan Sae-ung, Ronnachai Jamnong, Ekalak Waisayakul and Panuwat Muenlek.