Fernando wrests 3-shot lead with 68

SILANG, Cavite, Philippines – Upstaged by Gerald Rosales in the first round, Mhark Fernando got back at the first round leader and wrested control with a three-under 68 for a three-stroke lead over a charging Marvin Dumandan and steady Edward Reyes halfway through the P2.5 million ICTSI Riviera Classic at the Riviera Golf and Country Club here yesterday.

With the dreaded par-71 Langer course still proving as tough as ever in benign condition, Fernando pulled off another big recovery after another faulty start in overcast skies, hitting three birdies at the back that anchored his 35-33 card for a 36-hole aggregate of four-under 138.

“There’s wind but not as strong that’s why I was able to score,” said Fernando, who improved a bit with a bogey on the par-4 No. 1, which he double-bogeyed in the first round of the 72-hole championship organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. Wednesday.

Like in the opener where he fought back to shoot a 70, the former national champion rebounded with a mix of pars and birdies, finishing with a flourish and moving 36 holes away from duplicating his victory here five years ago as an amateur.

“I also got lucky to set up a number of birdie chances since it’s tough to make a birdie here,” added Fernando.

Pars would’ve been enough for Rosales, who bogeyed the last three holes and hobbled with a five-over 76 after outgunning Fernando with an impressive four-under 67 in the first round. His 143 total dropped him to joint fifth with two others.

The former Philippine Open champion here in 2000 quickly stormed out of the clubhouse after signing his scorecard, which showed four more bogeys against two birdies.

Dumandan, meanwhile, flashed his familiarity with the ravine-laced layout as the former club pro rattled off five birdies at the back for a fiery 31 and a 66 after an opening 75, moving past 24 players and into joint second with Reyes at 141.

Reyes, out to better a career-best runner-up finish to Miguel Tabuena at ICTSI Sherwood last March, birdied the par-3 No. 17 to salvage a 73 and a spot in today’s featured flight in this 13th leg of the circuit sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc.

“The pins were a lot tougher today,” said Reyes, who made three birdies from close range to negate three bogeys but dropped two strokes on No. 11 which he birdied Wednesday, after overshooting the green twice.

Cassius Casas hit back-to-back birdies from No. 15 and saved a second straight even par 71 for solo fourth at 142 while unheralded Paul Echavez fired a two-under 69 to join Rosales and ICTSI Palos Verdes winner Michael Bibat, who limped with a birdie-less 74, at fifth.

Elmer Saban, seeking to complete a back-to-back title romp after scoring a breakthrough at ICTSI Splendido last week, gunned down two birdies at the front but fumbled with two bogeys against a birdie at the back for a 70, gaining a share of eighth at 144 with Rey Jun Bernis, Jessie Balasabas and Rey Pagunsan, who turned in 70, 71 and 73, respectively.

Other backers of the event are Nike Golf, Srixon, Custom Clubmakers, Pacsports, Cleveland Golf, Callaway, Ping, Mizuno, Empire Golf and Sports Shop, FootJoy, Titleist, Sharp, BMW and Gergia Energy Foods.