Ababa 2 off in Malaysia

MANILA, Philippines - Jhonnel Ababa blitzed the frontside of the Kota Permail Golf and Country Club with four birdies and went on to card a 68 as he trailed Thai Thaworn Wiratchant by just two strokes at the start of Asian Tour’s Selangor Masters in Shah Alam, Malaysia yesterday.

Ababa, who missed the cut twice in four Asian Tour legs this year while finishing way down in 45th in the two other tournaments, made a surprise start in the $39,000 event with three birdies in the first five holes then gunned another on the ninth to make the turn at 32.

Although he reeled back with two bogeys against a birdie after eight holes at the back, the sophomore pro birdied the par-5 closing hole for that 68 and a share of third with Spain’s Javi Colomo.

Wiratchant fired an eagle-aided 66 to open a one-shot lead over American Jonathan Moore, the reigning Asian Development Tour Order of Merit leader who overcame a bogey-bogey start at the back with a string of birdies for a 67.

Michael Bibat, the other unfancied player in the 10-man Philippine contingent, shot a 71 to tie Elmer Salvador while Angelo Que, coming off a stint in the Omega European Masters last week, had a one-under card after six holes.

Tony Lascuna, the reigning OOM leader back home, mixed three birdies with the same number of bogeys for a 72 while Jay Bayron fumbled with a 73.

Miguel Tabuena also had a one-over card while Mars Pucay had a two-over score after nine holes.