Sumcad best among Pinoys; Malaysian Fung leads charge of foreign pros

CARMONA, Cavite, Philippines – Malaysian Nicholas Fung led the opening-day onslaught under ideal conditions at Manila Southwoods, highlighting his round with impeccable putting that led to a six-under 66 for a one-stroke lead over two other foreigners at the start of the $1 million Resorts World Manila Masters here yesterday.

Fung dismantled the Masters layout’s last line of defense with 23 putts over its sleek putting surface, capping it with one-putt feats in the last four holes, including two birdies, that put him in control of the elite field that featured at least 30 Asian Tour winners and the country’s ace shotmakers.

“My game is feeling good and I have been playing well. I like playing here and I have played well here in the last two years,” said the 25-year-old Malaysian, who led the assault on the 7,317-yard layout which yielded 40 sub-par rounds.

Fung, who had seven birdies against a lone bogey, has had great runs in this course designed by the great Jack Nicklaus. Last year he was solo eighth at 279.

This time, he’s hoping to hit the jackpot in the $1 million event hosted by the Manila Southwoods, following a second-place finish last week in the World Classic in Singapore.

“I’m happy with my result last week even though I didn’t win,” said Fung, who hopes to sustain his form in a late tee-off in today’s second round of the country’s richest golf championship.

Thailand’s Poom Saksansin and Taipei’s Hung Chien-yao shot identical 67s while Orlan Sumcad upstaged the local aces by firing a 68 to join Sam Brazel of Australia, Lee Chieh-po of Taipei, Rattanon Wannasrichan of Thailand, Giwhan Kim of Korea and Carlos Pigem of Spain in fourth place.

Fung has been here before and the Malaysian leader who wears neon-colored golf shirts knows how tough it is at this time of the day.

It gets hotter in this course just south of Manila and the winds blow harder in the afternoon, making it a little more difficult to measure the distance.

Fung said for now he doesn’t really care.

“I don’t want to think so much for now,” said Fung, now with a big bullseye on his back.

Leading a group of players with three-under-par 69s were Bryce Easton of South Africa, Scott Barr of Australia and Adilson da Silva of Brazil.

The leaderboard has the flags of the world.

The next best Filipinos, Jay Bayron and Clyde Montilla, are also three shots off the lead. Antonio Lascuña, who knows the course too well, is at 70, tied for 27th.

Miguel Tabuena, the former child wonder of Philippine golf, is in the group of 13 players at two-under, joined by compatriot Roberto Bernis Jr.

Angelo Que, a five-time winner in the Asian Tour, drove his shot into the pond on the short 410-yard 12th and went home with a 71 in a big group that included Robert Pactolerin.

Defending champion, Mardan Mamat of Singapore, was no good at 74, tied with Davao’s Paul Echavez, who birdied three of his first five holes but had a triple bogey on No. 11, a bogey on No. 12 and a double bogey on No. 15.

Frankie Miñoza missed putts he’d normally sink and had a 75, tied at 101st place and in danger of missing the cut in the richest golf event in the Philippines.

Danthai Boonma of Thailand, winner of the Asian Tour leg in Singapore last week, couldn’t get a grip of his game and shuttled back to his hotel with a 77.