Iñigo takes charge in Phl Seniors

MANILA, Philippines -  Pepot Iñigo hobbled at the backside but still came out on top with a three-over 75 as five-time champion Iggy Clavecilla groped for form and stumbled with an 82 at the start of the Philippine Senior Amateur Golf Championships at Riviera’s Couples course in Silang, Cavite yesterday.

Iñigo mixed two birdies with the same number of bogeys in the first nine holes but bogeyed the first two holes at the back then dropped another shot on No. 15 for a 36-39 round at the par-72 layout he calls home.

He took a one-stroke lead over Florene delos Santos and Cangolf’s Jose Mari Hechanova while Tony Olives, also of Canlubang, stood a stroke behind at 77.

Former national champion and last year’s runner-up Francis Gaston of Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club, also wavered coming home, bogeying the last two holes for a 78 to drop into a tie with Cangolf’s Rolly Viray and Anthony Youn Han of Eagle Ridge.

Dave Hernandez, also of Cangolf, made a 79 while Clavecilla, seeking to extend his record win run in the annual event to six, found the going tough with a 40 then turned in a worse 42 at the back to lay seven strokes off the pace.

He had six bogeys and two double bogeys without a birdie to show although the top Alabang bet is expected to bounce back today and put himself in contention heading to the last 36 holes of the event organized and conducted by the National Golf Association of the Phils.

Earlier, former President Fidel V. Ramos and National Golf Association of the Philippines president Leandro Mendoza hit the ceremonial drive to kick off this year’s staging of the tournament featuring the country’s golfing seniors.

Katy Katigbak and Gilmer Batestil carded identical 78s to share the lead in Category II (60-64), two shots clear of Tomas Joson, who had an 80, while Manuel Pone shot an 83 to seize a one-stroke lead over Vic Onella, who had an 84, in Category III (65-69).

Mario Lugay made an 86 for third while Esme Cantada stood two shots farther back at 88.

Jun Galindez carded a 103 to gain a five-shot lead over Jun Rafer in Super Senior II (75-79) while FVR scored a 108 for a whopping 18-stroke lead over Ben Santiago, who had a 126, in Super Senior III (80-and-above).

The final round in group competitions will be played tomorrow.