Bayron stays one shot off

MANILA, Philippines - Jay Bayron leaned on a three-birdie string at the back to shoot a one-under 71 and remain one stroke behind Hsu Mong-nan of Taiwan halfway through the PGM Eastwood Valley Masters in Malaysia yesterday.

Bayron, who fired a five-under 67 Wednesday, hit three straight birdies from No. 11 to negate a two-bogey mishap and pool a 36-hole aggregate of 138 to keep his title bid alive in the $80,000 championship of the Asian Development Tour.

“I like to come from behind and win,” said Bayron, a two-time ADT winner who is currently third in the Order of Merit. “I think I’m in a very good position but I need my putter to click to have a chance at winning this event.”

Hsu, who was impressive with a 66 in the first round, also struggled but was able to match Bayron’s one-under card to stay at the helm at 137.

The other Filipino bets also wavered with Mhark Fernando, coming off a victory on the ICTSI Calatagan Challenge in Batangas last week, carding a 73. He  slid farther back at 143 while Fil-Am Carl Santos-Ocampo, who scored a breakthrough at ICTSI Palos Verdes last month, matched par 72 for the second straight day for a 144.

Jhonnel Ababa rebounded from a 74 with a one-under 71 to move to joint 18th at 145 while James Lam also bounced back with a 73 for a 149.

Charles Hong, who also nailed his maiden win at ICTSI Pueblo de Oro, faltered with a 78 after a 73 and barely made the cut at 151.