MVPSF Phl Am open: Superal forges ahead by 1

MANILA, Philippines - Wolen Superal came charging home with an even par 72 and snatched a one-stroke lead over Rupert Zaragosa and Korean Jong Sang-in at the start of the Philippine Amateur Open golf championship presented by the MVP Sports Foundation at Wack Wack East yesterday.

Superal, a former top jungolfer, gunned down five birdies against the same number of bogeys in tough condition in one of the late afternoon flights and dislodged Zaragosa and Jong, who fashioned out a pair of 73s in contrasting fashions to momentarily seize control of the field.

Zaragosa hit three birdies in the last six holes, including the last two, to tie Jong, who missed grabbing the solo lead with a double-bogey mishap on the 18th.

While Zaragosa, seeking his first Open stroke play crown and third national title, finished strong, Jong, playing out of Riviera like former champion Wang Jeung-han, wavered coming home, holing out with a six on the par-4 18th.

Raymart Tolentino and Basti Lorenzo turned in a pair of 74s while Gen Nagai and Jonar Austria assembled 75s to stay in early contention in the event serving as the first leg of the NGAP-PLDT Group Philippine Amateur Tour and backed by Pancake House, Titleist, Golf Depot, Pacsports and Autohub, the official transport service provider of the event for the foreign delegates.

Meanwhile, action in the women’s side begins today with top ICTSI-The Country Club bets Dottie Ardina, Princess Superal and Jayvee Agojo leading the cast with Daniella Uy, who teamed up with Superal to capture the National Doubles crown recently.

Also in the fold are former Philippine Ladies Open champion Cyna Rodriguez, Sarah Ababa, Lovelynn Guioguio and Sofia Chabon, the 12-year-old newest ICTSI-TCC member from Cagayan de Oro.

Malaysia’s Muhamad Razif shot a four-over 76 while early favorite Jobim Carlos struggled all day and shot himself in the foot with an 82.

Singapore’s George Foo, older brother of last year’s champion, Gregory, shot a 77, while national teammate Jerome Ng shot a double bogey-marred 42 at the backside for a 78.

“I just managed to find a lot of fairways, especially at the back that gave me the chance to shoot for the pins,” said Zaragosa, 15. “I actually hit it well off the tees today, I just couldn’t find most of the greens in my first 12 holes.”

Jik-Jik Abdon, the reigning men’s match play national champion, shot a 79 even as several bets failed to break 90 and missed the first round cut.

LJ Go also sputtered with an 83.