Aunzo hangs on for 2-stroke lead

MANILA, Philippines - Ferdie Aunzo recovered from a shaky start early and came through with a second straight three-under 69 to hike his lead to two over an equally steady Joenard Rates and a surging Elmer Saban in the second round of the P2.5 million ICTSI Wack Wack Championship at WW’s East course yesterday.

Aunzo unleashed a birdie-binge right after fumbling with back-to-back bogeys from No. 12, hitting five in a seven-hole stretch, including three straight from No. 14, for another 69 and a 138 that moved him 18 holes away from nailing his first crown since ruling the opening leg of the ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour in 2009.

“I just have to be consistent, patient and not to really attack the greens,” said Aunzo in Filipino. “But I still cannot say if I can win here. I just want to play my game and be more confident with my putting.”

In shooting his second 69, Aunzo made 28 putts, including a 10-footer from the fringe for birdie on the par-3 16th, which he double-bogeyed in the first round.

Rates, a 31-year-old Malarayat pro from Lipa City and son of former touring pro Joe, also teed off from the back nine, came charging back from a two-over card with four straight birdies from No. 5 to salvage a second straight two-under 70 and a 140 and earn a first-ever crack at the one of the two richest purses (P450,000) in the circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

Rates, whose best finish in a seven-year pro career was third at Malarayat in 2008, actually muffed a pair of seven footers for birdies on Nos. 3 and 4 but finally got the feel and the range the next four holes, which he birdied inside eight feet.

“I just stay relaxed, had fun out there,” said Rates, who placed sixth at ICTSI Calatagan last month. “It also helped that I was putting good and my short game is working.”

But the day belonged to Saban, who unleashed a flawless, tournament best and lone bogey-free 66 to shoot himself from out of nowhere to joint second Rates for a clear shot at the crown in the 54-hole tournament organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

After a 35 at the back, Saban, an unfancied bet from talent-rich Davao, razed the tough frontside with birdies on Nos. 2, 3, 4, 7 and 8 for that 31 and grabbed a spot in today’s championship flight.

Joenard Rates. MANNY MARCELO

Cassius Casas, winner of the Philippine Open here in 2001, fired a 70 for an even 144 in a tie with Marlon Dizon, who had a second straight 72, while six players, led by Frankie Minoza (73), Artemio Murakami (70) and Jhonnel Ababa (72), were a stroke farther back at 145s.

But no lead is safe at WW’s east although Aunzo hopes to lean on his talent and use his experience to thwart Rates and Saban and avert another fruitless season.

Murakami, winner of the last tournament at BDO Canlubang, rebounded with a 70 as he joined Minoza, Ababa and four others in sixth, including Van der Valk (71), Rufino Bayron (71) and Dante Becierra (69).

Elmer Salvador, just one behind Aunzo at the start of the round, never recovered from a three-bogey misfortune from No. 3, ending up with a 76 and tumbling to joint 12 with Randy Garalde (69), Charles Hong (72) and Tabuena (73) at 146.

Angelo Que, who reigned at WW in the 2008 Phl Open, struggled for the second straight day with a 77 for a 156 and missed the cut pegged at 152 in the closing tournament of the circuit backed by MJ Carr Golf Management, Inc., Srixon, Callaway, Unilab, Titleist, Sharp, Custom Clubmakers, Mizuno, PinoyGolfer.com, Inquirer Golf, A Round of Golf, Studio 23, Balls, and Dynamic Sports.

Lloyd Go, a member of the national team in the last Putra Cup, took the low amateur honors with one round left as he emerged the lone survivor from the ranks with an impressive 71 for a 149 for joint 22nd.