Flawless putting shoves Ocampo to a 59

BAGUIO, Philippines  – On the cusp of a record nine-under 59 at the short but tricky course of Camp John Hay, Carl Santos-Ocampo let loose a 15-foot downhiller on the 174-yard par-3 No. 18, hoping his steady putting will again serve him well as he wound up his round in Day 2 of the ICTSI Camp John Hay championship here yesterday.

As if laser-guided, the ball rolled its way in, and the 24-year-old shotmaker set the mark at the tight, up-and-down par-68 layout designed by Jack Nicklaus’ Golden Bear group. The previous best was a 61 carded by Richard Sinfuego but on a par-69 course during the MRT Open in 2001.

“I was conscious that shot was for 59. I used an 8-iron from 170 yards and it was a big relief that I got in on the green. When I shot that 15-footer for birdie, I could feel time slowing down. And then I saw the ball rolling down and in,” said a beaming Santos-Ocampo, who has posted a two-round tally of 13-under 123 to take the overall lead heading into the last round of the P1 million event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

But the former US Amateur campaigner is only up by two against Marvin Dumandan, who also came in hot with a bogey-free 61 for 125.

Overnight leader Joenard Rates settled for a 67 to drop to third spot with 128 while Clyde Mondilla shot a 65 for a 129 for fourth followed by Terrence Macatangay (66-130), Jerson Balasabas (63-132), Roberto Bernis (66-132), Ferdie Aunzo (70-134), Anthony Fernando (67-134) and Sinfuego (70-134).

Matching his pin-point putting with accurate iron play that mostly dropped on the greens or at worst, on the fringe, Santos-Ocampo made shooting birdies after birdies look easy, setting the tone for his fiery play with three successive birdies.

“I’ve had a lot of good putting rounds before but this by par tops it all,” said the University of Notre Dame alum, who banged in putts the length of one pin or more.

At six-under after the 15th, Santos-Ocampo moved in for the record. He barely missed an eagle putt on the par-5 16th then knocked in a 12-footer for birdie on the next before capping his remarkable round with that 15-foot birdie.

“I just let it happen and I got more than what I expected. I’m celebrating my round today (yesterday), for tomorrow (today) if I can play fearless like I’ve been doing the past two days, play with full acceptance of whether it’s a good shot or not, and just enjoy, there’s nothing to worry about,” he said.

A bogey on the par-3 15th, however, marred an otherwise flawless round where he overshot the green then missed a six-footer for par.

Like Santos-Ocampo, Dumandan got off to a good start, birdying the first three holes and adding a fourth after a missed putting eagle on No. 8. He scored another birdie (two-pins) at the 13th and two-putted on the 16th to finish at seven-under.

“There’s still one more day. I just have to enjoy and play my game – patience, fairway-green, fairway-green, putt,” said Dumandan.

Rates went three-under after the front but made bogeys from 13th to 15th. A birdie on the 16th and pars the next two saved his round.

“Not bad. I scored one-under despite many ups and downs. I had a lot of birdie opportunities that I didn’t convert,” said the 31-year-old Rates. “I’m looking forward to a fun third day. It’s anybody’s game and the person who will come out with an A-game will prevail.”

A top purse of P200,000 awaits the winner of the event, the second leg of the 16-stage circuit sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc. and backed by Srixon, Callaway, Titleist, Sharp, Custom Clubmakers, Mizuno, PinoyGolfer.com, Inquirer Golf, A Round of Golf, Studio 23, Balls, and Dynamic Sports.

Scores after 2 rounds:

123 – Santos-Ocampo, C. (64-59) (30-29)

125 – Dumandan, M. (64-61) (30-31)

128 – Rates, J. (61-67) (32-35)

129 – Mondilla, C. (64-65) (33-32)

130 – Macatangay, T. (64-66) (37-29)

132 – Bernis, J. (66-66) (31-35); Balasabas, J. (69-63) (34-29)

133 – Aunzo, F. (63-70) (39-31)

134 – Fernando, A. (67-67) (35-32); Sinfuego, R. (64-70) (35-35)