Zaragosa takes provisional lead

BACOLOD, Philippines — Torrential rain and unrelenting winds turned the second round of the ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic into a battle of endurance and mental toughness Wednesday.

Play was suspended after a one-hour-and-a-half downpour submerged fairways and flooded bunkers of the Negros Occidental Golf and Countrly course.

Rupert Zaragosa fired a three-under card through 12 holes to seize the clubhouse lead at five-under.

His near-flawless performance gave him a four-stroke clubhouse lead over Tony Lascuña, Russell Bautista, Francis Morilla and first-round leader Michael Bibat, who all posted one-under aggregate scores.

“It was tough, but my game was fairly solid,” said Zaragosa.

Due to the weather disruptions, the men’s competition has been reduced to 54 holes and the women’s to 36.

In women’s play, Sarah Ababa closed in on her third leg victory of the season. Ababa, who opened with a stunning 68 and a three-stroke lead over Daniella Uy, maintained her cushion as play was halted midway through the second round.