Bayron shoots 70, climbs to No. 12

MANILA, Philippines - Jay Bayron slowed down with a two-under 70 after a 69 but moved a rung higher at No. 12 halfway through the Ballantine’s Taiwan Championship now paced by veteran Lin Wen-tang at the Ta Kang Shan Golf Course in Kaohsiung, Taiwan yesterday.

Bayron birdied Nos. 6 and 7 on his way home to salvage a 35-35 card at the par-72 layout to pool a 36-hole total of 139, seven strokes behind Lin, who sizzled with an eagle-spiked, bogey-free 64 to grab a three-shot lead at 132.

Erstwhile joint leader Huang Tung-liang shot a 69 but slid to second at 135 in a tie with Englishman Grant Jackson, who fired a 68, while Thai Sattaya Supupramai dropped to 136 after a 70.

Bayron, the 2012 Asian Development Tour Order of Merit champion, had a roller-coaster stint at the back, hitting three birdies but fumbling with two bogeys for a 35. He missed a five-footer on No. 2 for another bogey but struck back with those back-to-back birdies to wheel back into contention.

But while Bayron made it to the weekend play in the $110,000 event, compatriots Charles Hong, Mars Pucay and brother Rufino Bayron missed the cut pegged at 143. Hong and Pucay had 146 after a 73 and a 71 while Rufino skied to an 80 for a 159.

The second round of the Ballantine’s Taiwan Championship was delayed for close to three hours in the morning due to inclement weather. Play was later stopped at 7 p.m. due to darkness.

A total of 13 players, including Carl Santos-Ocampo, who shot a 70 in the first round, will complete their second rounds at 6.30 a.m. today with the third round expected to start not earlier than 8 a.m.