Salvador stays 3 off in Queens Cup

MANILA, Philippines - Elmer Salvador recovered from a wild start with a cluster of birdies as he salvaged a one-under 71 to remain three strokes off the lead in the second round of the Queens Cup now paced by Thai veteran Prayad Marksaeng at the Santiburi Samui Country Club in Thailand yesterday.

Salvador, who eagled the par-5 18th to spike his opening 68 Thursday for joint sixth, made a double-bogey right on No. 1 then dropped back-to-back strokes from No. 4 to drop out of the top 10. But he struck back with five birdies in the next 13 holes and wheeled back into contention at four-under 138.

He birdied Nos. 6, 9 and 10 then capped his fiery comeback with birdies on the last two holes.

Marksaeng, a former Philippine Open winner, fired a solid seven-under 64 for a 135 as he wrested a one-stroke lead over compatriot Jazz Janewattananond, who had a 136 after a three-under 68.

Malaysian Nicholas Fung matched Marksaeng’s 64 to force a three-way tie for second at 136 with another Thai bet Arnond Vongvanij, who shot a 67.

Tony Lascuña fought back with a two-under 69 after a 74 and made that cut at 143 but Jay Bayron carded a second 73 and missed the weekend play by one.

Angelo Que also failed to advance with a 149 after a 74.