Hot start powers Bayron to 3-way tie

BACOLOD, Philippines — Jay Bayron, whose late rally proved short at Binitin last week, put on a strong start this time, hitting four birdies at the front for a 66 and catching Keanu Jahns and Gerald Rosales in the lead at the start of the ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club here yesterday.

Bayron, who charged back from seven down in the final round to within two but lost by five to Justin Quiban in the Bacolod Golf Challenge last week, actually added another birdie on the 10th in windy condition but dropped a stroke on No. 14 and settled for pars the rest of the way.

But that was enough to keep the veteran campaigner from talent-rich Davao on top with the unfancied Jahns and Rosales with five others just one stroke adrift with 67s and three more another shot back with 68s.

“The greens are in good condition and I had a good run in putting,” said Bayron, hoping to sustain his form all the way to the finish for a crack at the crown and a follow-up to his PGT Asia Manila Southwoods title romp last month.

But with at least 23 others closely bunched together, the hunt for birdies in the next three days is expected to be fierce with Jahns and Rosales likewise raring to prove their worth in the P3.5 million tournament put up by ICTSI.

Jahns, one of a slew of emerging stars seeking a breakthrough win on the Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.-organized circuit, fashioned out his 31-35 card in one of the morning flights and stayed in the lead at the end of the long day at the par-70, 6197-yard Marapara layout, short by the pros’ standard but long in challenge with its tight fairways, water hazards and dog-leg holes.