Richard Sinfuego charged home with two birdies to fire a four-under 67 and catch unheralded Arnold Villacencio for the lead at the start of the P1 million ICTSI Eastridge Classic, June 1, at the Eastridge Golf Club in Binangonan, Rizal Province.
With the big guns settling for oneunder or even par rounds, the lesserlights ran the show in the opener of the 54-hole tournament with Sinfuego sustaining a flawless frontside 33 with back-to-back birdies from No. 13 to negate a lone bogey mishap on No. 11.
Still, it was Sinfuego’s strongest start in years after the former amateur hotshot was disqualified, along with two others, from his last crack at the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour crown on a final hole infraction at the Del Monte Classic last year.
Earlier, the power-hitting Villacencio surprised the field with a solid 67, spiked by a closing 30 and highlighted by a pitch-in eagle from 70 yards on the par-4 No. 10.
The duo took a one-shot lead over another unfancied bet in Ruben Sasutil, who also rallied with a 33 at the back for a 68, while another shot back at 69 were Dabawenyos Elmer Saban and Rufino Bayron, who once won a pro tournament as an amateur.
The fiery windup was enough for Villacencio, whose best effort in the ICTSI-bankrolled Philippine Golf Tour was a joint third place finish at the ICTSI Classic in Malarayat last April, to seize the early lead with half of the field still to complete play.
Miguel Tabuena, the 16-year-old sensation gearing up for a breakthrough pro victory, rebounded from an opening 37 with a fiery 33 to tie Artemio Murakami, Dante Becierra and Joseph Labajo at 70.
Juvic Pagunsan, gunning for his second straight win after topping the ICTSI Orchard leg with a record setting final round 63 two weeks ago and third overall in four legs, turned in a one-birdie, one-bogey output to lead the nine-man group with even par 71s.PR
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