Solid Mamat tames winds, leads by three

MANILA, Philippines - Mardan Mamat of Singapore fired two birdies in a bogey-free round yesterday and walked off the 18th green as the solo leader halfway through the $300,000 ICTSI Philippine Open.

The 44-year-old Mamat was already smiling as he prepared to line up his putt, and after holing out for par and a two-under-par 70 he faced the television camera and gave the thumbs-up sign.

“I’m very pleased today. I like the way I’m playing. The winds were swirling but I managed to overcome,” said Mamat, who won a Jaguar as a hole-in-one prize in his pro debut in 1994.

If he holds on in the next two days, he wins the top prize of $47,000.

With a five-under total of 139 (69-70), Mamat now carries a three-shot lead over three players led by Filipinos Ferdie Aunzo (72-70) and Tony Lascuna (71-71) and American Ben Fox (69-73).

But a three-stroke lead on this tough, tempting and tricky Wack Wack east course is no reason to relax, and Mamat, a two-time champion in the Asian Tour, knows that very well.

“I have full respect for this golf course. I don’t know what’s going to happen in the next two rounds. Hopefully it’ll be the same as the first rounds for me. You just never know here,” he said.

He knows how to cope with pressure, if already he was feeling it by the time he left the course. He’s been playing well in the Asian Tour the last seven years with two wins and 23 top 10 finishes.

A total of 79 players made the cut that was pegged at six-over.

Miguel Tabuena led the group tied for fifth at 143, including Korean Joong-Kyung Mo, American Sam Cyr, first-round co-leader Lu Tze-shyan of Taipei and Australia’s Paul Donahoo and Adam Blyth.

Mamat, Fox and Lu were among the six players who shared the lead at three-under after Thursday’s opening round.

Mars Pucay and Frankie Miñoza, who started the day just a stroke off the lead, were hard to find after yesterday’s round after submitting a 74 and a 79, respectively.

Pucay was doing so well, moving up to five-under for the tournament until he bogeyed No. 5, triple-bogeyed No. 7 and bogeyed No. 8 on his way out.

But all’s not lost for Pucay who’s five strokes off the leader in a tie with former champion Anthony Kang of the US, Danny Chia of Malaysia, Thanyakon Khrongpha of Thailand, Azuma Yano of Japan and Marcus Both of Australia.

Miñoza provided the sad note for the Philippines. After a steady two-under the other day, he went seven-over with six bogeys and a double-bogey. He had no birdie on the hot, windy day.

Berry Henson, the defending champion, hit a second 73 and is now seven strokes off the pace, along with nine others. Unless he makes his move today, his title chances will remain very dim.

Tabuena, at 17 the youngest in the Asian Tour, birdied the fourth, bogeyed the 18th and parred the rest of the holes in another steady performance as a young professional.

“It’s exciting for me. It’s my second time being in contention as a pro. I like being in contention. It’s a lot of fun,” said Tabuena, who’s up against some players old enough to be his father.

“It was a good grind for me. But this course requires a lot of knowledge. I’ve played here numerous times that I know how to play it. I think it’s paying off,” he said.

Tabuena is just having fun out on the course, and yes, he is in contention.