Zaragosa finishes strong, wrests lead

MANILA, Philippines - Rupert Zaragosa pounced on a two-shot swing with a birdie on the 18th as he salvaged a two-over 74 and snatched a one-stroke lead over Korean Jung Sang-in as overnight leader Wolen Superal skied with an 80 halfway through the Philippine Amateur Open golf championship presented by the MVP Sports Foundation at Wack Wack’s East course yesterday.

Zaragosa, who dropped to joint second with the Riviera bet after Superal came in late with a 72 Monday, fought back from two shots down after 13 holes with four pars and a birdie then watched Jung waver with a bogey-bogey windup to storm ahead at 147.

Jung settled for a 75 and slid to second at 148 while Sebastian Lorenzo turned in a 75 to stay within two at 149 heading to the last 36 holes of the four-day championship kicking off this year’s NGAP-PLDT Group Philippine Amateur Tour.

Singapore’s Jerome Ng and George Foo rebounded with 73 and 74, respectively, for a share of fourth at 151, one stroke ahead of Malaysian Muhammad Afif Bin Razif, who had a 76, and Superal.

Dottie Ardina dished out fine form coming off a long break, firing a two-under 70 and posting a big four-stroke lead over ICTSI-The Country Club teammate Jayvie Agojo at the start of the 54-hole women’s competition.

Ardina, who closed out an impressive 2012 season by leading the country’s sweep of the three Singapore Juniors titles last December, banged in two birdies from close range at the front side, spiking a 34-36 round that drove her past Agojo, who fumbled with a 74.

Agojo, the reigning Santi Cup champion, struggled with three bogeys in the first five holes, needing to birdie the tough par-3 No. 8 before closing out with a 36 to save a 74 in the event backed by Pancake House, Titleist, Golf Depot, Pacsports and Autohub, the official transport service provider.

Mia Legaspi also closed out with a 38 for a 75 for third while Princess Superal, the winningest in the ranks with nine titles last year, hobbled with a 39 for a 76.

Malaysian Nur Durriyah carded a 77 to tie Andie Unson at fifth while Lois Go, Singapore’s Sock Hwee Koh and reigning Hong Kong Amateur Open champion Cyna Rodriguez turned in identical 78s.

Superal dropped out of the lead early with a bogey and double-bogey mishap, making the turn at 44 then blew a birdie-birdie feat from No. 14 with bogey-bogey finish. He had an 80 and dropped five shots behind at 152.

Marc Ong, also of Singapore, bounced back with a 73 after an 80 for a 153 in a tie with Edsel Tan, who struggled with a 77, and Jonar Austria, who made a 78.