Manotoc 2 shots up

MANILA, Philippines - Gabriel Manotoc bucked the heat and Sherwood Hills’ unpredictable putting surface as he matched par 72 to seize a two-stroke lead over Rupert Zaragosa at the start of the NGAP’s Philippine Junior Amateur Open golf championship in Trece Martirez, Cavite yesterday.

Manotoc, the 15-year-old find from Beacon Academy, hit two birdies against the same number of bogeys then watched Rupert Zaragosa fumble with a triple-bogey 7 on No. 18 to wrest control in the event presented by the MVP Sports Foundation as part of the PLDT Group Amateur Tour.

Manotoc, who went out of regulation just three times, actually missed the chance of going under-par due to difficult pin placements but his 72 proved enough to net him the lead as the fancied Zaragosa hit an errant drive on the 18th and ended up with a wet 7. He settled for a 74.

Basti Lorenzo, another Beacon Academy bet, turned in a 75 for third.