Zaragosa shares lead despite 73; Carlos gains

JAKARTA – Rupert Zaragosa hung on to the lead after a one-over 73 even as Jobim Carlos closed in with a two-under 71, making them both strong contenders for individual top honors at the close of the 26th SEA Games golf championship at the Jagowari Golf Club course in Cimmangis, West Java.

The Thais, however, also stayed on top in the men’s team championship, all churning out solid rounds to firm up their hold of the lead.

Chihiro Ikeda gained solo third but trailed the leader by four in the women’s individual play after a two-over 74 for a 146 two-day total.

The Phl ladies team that includes Dottie Ardina and Andrea Unson were way off the leaders in team play going into the final 18 holes of the event the country ruled in Laos in 2009.

“We’re in a good spot because we have the chance to win three medals. Of course, we’re hoping for the best but, right now, it seems the only realistic thing in team play is second place,” said Phl delegation chief Tommy Manotoc.

“Rupert will go all out to win as well as Jobim, and that would be a great lift to the team,” added Manotoc.

Needless to say Ikeda will also go flat out to snare a medal in the distaff side, thus, the Phl team is still on track to matching its two-gold feat in Laos in 2009.

Zaragosa went even in the back nine then watched Rattanon Wannasric drop two strokes in the last three holes as they remained tied in the lead at 216.

Natipong Srithong was at 72-217, Poom Saksansin at 72-218 and Carlos at 71-219, crowding Zaragosa and Wannasric on top and setting the stage for an exciting finish of the chase for the individual men’s championship.

With a 221 team aggregate in the day counting either 77s of Art Arbole or Clyde Mondilla, the Phl men stood 12 strokes off Thailand with a 663.

Four down on the second running host team, the Filipinos hoped they could at least snatch the silver in team play.

Malaysia slid to fourth with a 225-665 with main man Low Khai Jei, hit by a bum stomach, withdrawing after six holes.

Low was among the leaders in the individual play before the round.