Miñoza wrests solo lead with 69

BACOLOD, Philippines — Frankie Miñoza kept a hot form as his rivals hobbled in blustery conditions, firing a one-under 69 to wrest a three-stroke lead over erstwhile co-leader Albin Engino halfway through the ICTSI Negros Occidental Golf Classic presented by MORE Power here yesterday.

Two birdies in a solid frontside windup enabled the former continental top gun to overcome a shaky backside 36, leaving him as the only player from the starting field of 66 to put in back-to-back under-par rounds at the challenging Marapara course.

“Like in the first round, I played very good, driving almost perfect. My irons are good and though my putting was not as good, it was acceptable,” said Miñoza, who was as surprised as the rest of the stellar cast to be on top of the heap with a 137 aggregate he spiked with a first round 68.

Don Petil actually tried to make things happen, threatening to grab the lead with a sterling four-under card after 15 holes in the heat and wind. But like the other pursuers, the 29-year-old shotmaker, who turned pro last October, cracked when the going got tougher, closing out with a disastrous bogey-double bogey-bogey finish.

Petil settled for a 70 and tumbled from second to joint 10th at 142, five strokes behind Minoza in the P2.25 million event put up by ICTSI.