Avena paces Philippine Seniors despite 74

LIPA CITY, Philippines — Abe Avena kicked off his drive for a second crown in three years with a two-over 74, wresting control despite a wobbly finish at the start of the Philippine Senior and Mid-Amateur Open Championships at the Mt. Malarayat Golf and Country Club in Batangas here.

Avena rebounded from an early pair of bogey mishaps at Mt. Lobo with three straight birdies from No. 8 but blew a one-under card with bogeys on Nos. 12, 15 and 18 at Mt. Malipunyo. But with the rest of the field groping under tough conditions, the 2016 winner stayed on top of the Seniors Open.

Cangolf’s Rolly Viray birdied the last hole to save a 76 and take the early challenger’s role while last year’s runner-up Dave Hernandez of Calatagan recovered from a 41 start with a 38 for a 79 for joint third with Damasus Wong, who wavered with a closing 41 at Mt. Malipunyo nine.

William Goodwin missed seizing solo third with a double-bogey miscue on No. 18, slipping to fifth with an 80 followed by Mike Besa and Tommy Manotoc, who carded identical 81s, while Renato Unson, Tony Olivez, Ernesto Lim and Zaldy Villa turned in similar 83s.