FRANKIE MINOZA
Two-time champion Frankie Minoza of Bukidnon fired a four-under 68 to tie former winner Robert Pactolerin and two unfancied bets, including amateur Zanie Boy Gialon of Davao City in the lead at the start of the start of the P2 million Philippine Open, Wednesday at the Valley Golf Club course in Antipolo.
Minoza, riding the crest of a string of solid stints abroad, including a joint runner-up finish in Florida last month that netted him a berth in next year’s US Seniors Champions Tour, put in a six-birdie performance highlighted by a birdie-birdie windup.
That fiery finish more than made up for his disastrous double-bogey mishap on No. 14, putting him in the company of Pactolerin, who came out smoking in one of the morning flights, the power-hitting Orlan Sumcad and Gialon, one of the members of the ICTSI-The Country Club squad.
"I feel I'm hitting better now," said Minoza, who skipped the pro-am event Tuesday due to ear infection but was allowed to play this week.
Elmer Salvador, seeking to become the first back-to-back champion in more than five decades, put himself in early contention as he turned in a three-under 69 for a three-way tie for fifth with Joenard Rates and Rufino Bayron.
Young Miguel Tabuena, the silver medalist in the recent Asian Games, held his ground against Minoza and shot a two-under 70 to join the group of Antonio Asistio II, Russell Honrubia, Richard Abaring, Rey Pagunsad and Richard Sinfuego.
Sumcad, one of the less-fancied but long hitters on the local circuit, gunned down an eagle and made six birdies to negate his four bogeys in probably his best start in years.
But the day belonged to 21-year-old Gialon, a former caddy at Apo golf in talent-rich Davao who joined the ICTSI stable of coach Bong Lopez last year. He rammed in six birdies against two bogeys to find himself alongside the most feared man in the 123-player fold.
"I'm happy with my effort," said Gialon, who missed grabbing the solo lead after he three-putted the tough par-3 18th.
Minoza, who turns 51 late this month, played true to form in the early going and made the turn at four-under. But he got into trouble on No. 14 and holed out with a double-bogey on the 14th.
But the veteran campaigner recovered in time, coming through with birdies on Nos. 17 and 18 to regain a share of the lead in the event sponsored by San Miguel Corp. and backed by Pagcor, Orient Pearl, Amalgamated Motors (Phils.) Inc., Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Rudy Project, Yamaha Golf Car, Kilton Motor Corp, EFC and friends of NGAP and Club Car Phls. as hole-in-one sponsor and A Round of Golf as media partner. Motorola is the event’s 2-way radio supplier.
Pactolerin, whose trip here is backed by Royal Golf of Zamboanga, was likewise impressed with his strong opening day effort.
"I feel relaxed and I'm hitting the ball well," he said.(pr)
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