Gialon 3-up as ‘Mario’ washes out 3rd round

MANILA, Philippines - Even after the downpour, fairway bunkers remain submerged, forcing the organizing Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. to cancel the third round of the P1.5 million ICTSI Royal Northwoods Championship.

Heavy rains spawned by tropical storm Mario and southwest monsoon rendered the Royal Northwoods Golf Club unplayable, forcing the organizing Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. to cancel the third round of the ICTSI Royal Northwoods Championship in San Rafael, Bulacan yesterday.

The PGTI, hopeful that the weather would improve by noontime, had earlier moved the tee-off time from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. and then to 11 a.m. but decided to call off the third round altogether as rains continued to batter Luzon as Typhoon Mario made a landfall.

Reduced to 54 holes, the P1.5 million event, sponsored by ICTSI, will resume today (Saturday) for the final round with Zanie Boy Gialon, seeking an end to a two-year title spell, keeping a three-stroke lead over Mhark Fernando with a 10-under 134 after a 68. Fernando, winner of ICTSI Riviera leg last year, had a 137 after a 67.

Elmer Saban, winner of ICTSI Splendido last year, and Charles Hong, who ruled the ICTSI Sherwood Hills Classic last April, stood a shot farther back at 138 after a 67 and 69, respectively, while Rufino Bayron, winner of the Asian Development Tour’s ICTSI Orchard Championship last June, assembled a 139 after a 71.

Rounding out the top 10 are Ferdie Aunzo, Arnold Villacencio, Micah Shin and Omar Dungca, who all had 140s, while Rolando Marabe and Chris Delos Santos had 141s.