DAVAO - Juvic Pagunsan eagled No. 18 for the second straight day and poised to rout the field for the third straight year with another 66, pulling away by eight strokes over erstwhile co-leader Jhonnel Ababa, who dropped five strokes in one hole in the second round of the ICTSI Apo Golf Invitational here, Thursday.
Showing his mastery of the tough Apo layout, Pagunsan duplicated his opening six-under par card as he continued to outclass a stellar field, including the homegrown bets, to virtually wrap up a fourth leg title just halfway through the 16-stage circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.
His 36-hole aggregate of 132 could well go down as the lowest in the three-year-old tour sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc. with the ace shotmaker from Negros expected to go for a new scoring record and post a new winning mark in one season in today's final round.
Marvin Dumandan won three leg titles last year.
Ababa, who matched Pagunsan's 66 Wednesday despite a late tee off, started out early yesterday but came up with just one birdie after seven holes at the front before fumbling with a 9 on the par-4 No. 8 when he drove into the hazard, hit his third shot into a stymied lie and took a penalty.
He then dumped his approach shot into the greenside bunker and three-putted although he made two birdies in the last six holes to salvage a two-over 74 for second at four-under 140.
Michael Bibat, the former Asian Games bronze medalist still in search of a big win in the pro ranks, shot a two-under 70 for joint third with former national team mainstay Jerson Balasabas, who matched par 72, at 141 while Danny Zarate turned in a second 71 for a 142 in a tie with Elmer Saban and Elmer Salvador, who carded a 72 and 73, respectively.
Teener Miguel Tabuena birdied the last three holes at the front for a 69 as he joined Zarate, Saban and Salvador in fifth.
Except for Artemio Murakami, who missed the cut pegged at 152 with an awful 80 for a 155, the top guns made it to the top 40 plus ties but all stood too far behind Pagunsan with one round left in the 54-hole P1 million event.
Frankie Minoza fired a 71 but lay 11 shots back at 143 for joint ninth with Ramil Bisera, who had a 70, and Anthony Fernando, who shot a 70, while Angelo Que, runaway winner at ICTSI-Mt. Malarayat, bounced back from an opening 78 with a 71 and made it to the final round at 149.
Art Arbole remained the top amateur at 149 after a 73, one shot ahead of Rupert Zaragoza, who stumbled with a 78 after a decent 72 for a 150.
Starting out at the backside, Pagunsan birdied Nos. 12, 13 and 16 before ramming in another eagle from just about the same distance as he did Wednesday.
He fumbled with a bogey on the par-3 No. 4, his third in two days, but recovered with another pair of birdies on Nos. 6 and 7 for a 35-31 round.
With an eight-stroke lead, Pagunsan is expected to cruise to another win in what could be a big comeback from his final round fold-up in Bacolod where he bombed out and wound up third with a final round 73 after leading the ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic for the first two days.
The event is backed b MJ Carr Golf Management, Inc., Srixon, Callaway, Unilab, BDO, Titleist, Sharp, Custom Clubmakers, Mizuno, Empire Golf & Sports Shop, PinoyGolfer.com, Inquirer Golf, Omnisource International, A Round of Golf, Studio 23, Balls, and Dynamic Sports.(pr)
Showing posts with label Jhonnel Ababa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jhonnel Ababa. Show all posts
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Ababa forges tie with Pagunsan at 66
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| BACOLOD CITY'S JUVIC PAGUNSAN |
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| DAVAO CITY'S JHONNEL ABABA |
DAVAO – Rookie pro Jhonnel Ababa defended the home turf with a gutsy 66, matching fancied Juvic Pagunsan’s six-under par card fashioned out in the morning session as they opened a three-stroke lead over Elmer Salvador and two others in the P1 million ICTSI Apo Golf Invitational at the Apo Golf and Country Club here, Wednesday.
Ababa, chasing a second straight leg crown after topping the ICTSI Iloilo Golf Challenge three weeks ago, rallied with four birdies at the front on his homeward trip to highlight a brilliant 32-34 round marred by an opening hole bogey on No. 10.
But the former national team mainstay shook off the early missed-green mishap with birdies on No. 12, 16 and 18 then sustained his attack on the course he calls home with birdies on Nos. 1, 3, 5 and 8.
“Except for No. 10, I had a pretty solid round. My iron game clicked, setting up short birdie putts,” said Ababa in Filipino.
It was indeed an inspiring start for Ababa who scored a breakthrough win on the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour with a playoff victory over fellow Davaoeno and reigning Order of Meric champion Jay Bayron in Iloilo.
Earlier, Pagunsan eagled the par-5 18th to cap a fiery backside stint of 30 for that 66 as he set in motion his bid for a record third straight Davao leg victory.
Pagunsan strung up four straight birdies from No. 13 to fire up an otherwise mediocre round then holed out with an eagle from eight feet to put himself in a familiar place on a course and against a stellar field he has mastered the last two years.
Pagunsan’s 66 matched his start in 2009 when he dominated the field from start to finish en route to a six-shot romp over Artemio Murakami and Jerome Delariarte.
Pagunsan, seeking a fourth leg victory after eight legs of the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour after topping the Northwoods, Orchard and Eastridge stops, also scored a four-stroke win over Ferdie Aunzo and Elmer Saban here last year to become the first back-to-back leg winner on the three-year-old tour sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc. and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.
Salvador and Echavez assumed the challengers' role with identical 69s in the same flight with the former Philippine Open champion hitting five birdies to negate a pair of missed-green bogeys and the latter missing seizing solo second at four-under with a bogey on the par-3 No. 4.
Local talents Tony Lascuna, Elmer Saban and Eddie Salvador also flashed their familiarity with the par-72 layout, carding identical 70s while Davaoenos Marvin Dumandan and Ferdie Aunzo, Michael Bibat and Danny Zarate turned in similar 71s.
Frankie Minoza, in a rare stint on the local circuit, matched par 72 for joint 13th with Dante Becierra, Arnold Villacencio and former world junior champion Ruperto Zaragoza while another Davaoeno and former national champion Anthony Fernando carded a 73 in a tie with teener Miguel Tabuena and Cassius Casas, also a homegrown bet.
Asian Tour veteran Mars Pucay failed to recover from a two-over card after nine holes and finished with a 75 then watched flightmate Pagunsan frolicked with a string of birdies from No. 13 and the day's lone eagle.
Pagunsan birdied the opening hole but fumbled with a one-over card with bogeys on Nos. 2 and 5. He birdied the sixth to get to even par and remained level until he knocked down a three-footer for birdie on the 13th.
He followed it up with a 10-footer on No. 14, rolled in an eight footer on the next before going four-under with a five-footer on the 16th.
But while Pagunsan played true to form, Angelo Que, winner of the ICTSI-Mt. Malarayat leg and one of the fancied bets here, shot an atrocious round of 78, including a birdie-less six-over 41 at the back where he teed off.
Que's misfortunes extended to the frontside as he bogeyed three of the first five holes but birdied two of the last four to salvage a 37 for a 78.
The event is backed b MJ Carr Golf Management, Inc., Srixon, Callaway, Unilab, BDO, Titleist, Sharp, Custom Clubmakers, Mizuno, Empire Golf & Sports Shop, PinoyGolfer.com, Inquirer Golf, Omnisource International, A Round of Golf, Studio 23, Balls, and Dynamic Sports.(pr)
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Ababa nips fellow Dabawenyo
http://edgedavao.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4906:ababa-nips-fellow-dabawenyo&catid=46:games&Itemid=79
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| Rookie pro Jhonnel Ababa (right) receives the championship trophy from Iloilo Golf and Country Club president Henry Go after nipping Jay Bayron in the first playoff hole to rule the ICTSI Iloilo Golf Challenge at the IGCC course in Sta. Barbara, Iloilo last Friday for first victory on the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour. |
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Storm hit World Am reduced to 54 holes
The Philippines got stranded in the second round of the World Amateur Golf
Championships reduced to 54 holes due to stormy weather with Denmark taking the
provisional lead with a 280 after a 141 at the Buenos Aires Golf Club in
Argentina Friday.
Play was first suspended at 9 a.m. (Argentina time) due to thunderstorm and
resumed at 11:50 a.m. only to be stopped again on 4:50 p.m. due to lightning,
forcing the organizers to suspend play and reduce the 72-hole competition to 54
holes.
The RP golfers, who had a horrible 12-over 156 in the first round, pooled a
five-over card when play was halted with Mhark Fernando scoring a two-over card
after six holes and Jhonnel Ababa and Judson Eustaquio carding three-over 39s at
the turn.
Denmark, with a three-under 141, made its move in the rain to gain the lead at
280. The Danes were among the 35 of the 69 teams in the field to complete play.
They hold a lead over teams that failed to finish their rounds. Canada stood at
five-under after three holes and first day leader France was at three-under
through nine holes.
The second round was suspended twice and then called for the day because of
dangerous weather and course conditions. It will resume at 9 a.m. Saturday.
Following completion of the round and a re-draw based on scores, the third round
will begin in the mid-to-late afternoon. The leading teams will play at Buenos
Aires Golf Club in the third round and the lower half will play at Olivos Golf
Club. The championship is now reduced to 54 holes and will conclude on Sunday.
The United States jumped to a provisional tie for fifth at one-under-par 285
while New Zealand stood at even par 286.
The Philippines, whose campaign is sanctioned by the NGAP and backed by ICTSI
and Philippine Sports Commission, wavered early with a 156 in the first round
and is hardpressed to do better in the second round to bounce back into
contention.
But with playing condition proving tougher, the RP golfers would need to toughen
up at resumption of play to improve on their opening 51st place effort Thursday.
Team RP finished joint 27th last time in Australia but the ICTSI-backed ladies
team of Dottie Ardina, Chihiro Ikeda and Mia Piccio made a superb joint eighth
finish in last week’s Espirito Santo Trophy, the best-ever by the team in the
biennial event.(pr)
Championships reduced to 54 holes due to stormy weather with Denmark taking the
provisional lead with a 280 after a 141 at the Buenos Aires Golf Club in
Argentina Friday.
Play was first suspended at 9 a.m. (Argentina time) due to thunderstorm and
resumed at 11:50 a.m. only to be stopped again on 4:50 p.m. due to lightning,
forcing the organizers to suspend play and reduce the 72-hole competition to 54
holes.
The RP golfers, who had a horrible 12-over 156 in the first round, pooled a
five-over card when play was halted with Mhark Fernando scoring a two-over card
after six holes and Jhonnel Ababa and Judson Eustaquio carding three-over 39s at
the turn.
Denmark, with a three-under 141, made its move in the rain to gain the lead at
280. The Danes were among the 35 of the 69 teams in the field to complete play.
They hold a lead over teams that failed to finish their rounds. Canada stood at
five-under after three holes and first day leader France was at three-under
through nine holes.
The second round was suspended twice and then called for the day because of
dangerous weather and course conditions. It will resume at 9 a.m. Saturday.
Following completion of the round and a re-draw based on scores, the third round
will begin in the mid-to-late afternoon. The leading teams will play at Buenos
Aires Golf Club in the third round and the lower half will play at Olivos Golf
Club. The championship is now reduced to 54 holes and will conclude on Sunday.
The United States jumped to a provisional tie for fifth at one-under-par 285
while New Zealand stood at even par 286.
The Philippines, whose campaign is sanctioned by the NGAP and backed by ICTSI
and Philippine Sports Commission, wavered early with a 156 in the first round
and is hardpressed to do better in the second round to bounce back into
contention.
But with playing condition proving tougher, the RP golfers would need to toughen
up at resumption of play to improve on their opening 51st place effort Thursday.
Team RP finished joint 27th last time in Australia but the ICTSI-backed ladies
team of Dottie Ardina, Chihiro Ikeda and Mia Piccio made a superb joint eighth
finish in last week’s Espirito Santo Trophy, the best-ever by the team in the
biennial event.(pr)
Thursday, October 28, 2010
RP golfers fumble in World Am opener
The Philippines turned in its worst start in the last five stagings of the World
Amateur Golf Championships as it hobbled with a 12-over 156 and fell to joint
51st in the Espirito Santo Trophy at the Buenos Aires Golf Club in Argentina
Thursday.
Mhark Fernando made a five-over 77 and Jhonnel Ababa limped home with a
seven-over 79 for the team’s 156 output, 19 strokes behind France which pooled a
seven-under 137 at the par-72 BAGC.
Canada also had a 137 but it assembled its five-under card at the par-71 Olivos
Golf Club, giving France an early two-stroke lead in the three-to-play,
two-to-count format event.
Judson Eustaquio didn’t count with an 80 as Team RP dropped into a tie with
unfancied Kenya in 51st place, its worst since the team of Jay Bayron, Michael
Bibat and Marvin Dumandan opened with a 10-over 154 and wound up 38th in the
2006 World Am in South Africa.
The RP golfers never recovered from a poor start at the backside of the
wind-raked layout with Fernando carding a six-over 41 from two double bogeys and
two bogeys against a bogey.
Eustaquio opened with a birdie on No. 10 but made a double bogey on No. 12 then
bogeyed three of the next six holes for a 40.
Ababa, in his final stint in the amateurs, stumbled with two bogeys and two
double bogeys and wound up with a birdie-less 42.
The 28-year-old Fernando, who will also turn pro after next month’s Asian Games,
hit back-to-back birdies from No. 1 but made three bogeys against a birdie in
the next seven holes for a 36 and a 77.
Ababa settled down with two bogeys against a birdie but hardly improved with a
37 and 79 while Eustaquio gunned down back-to-back birdies from No. 6 but had
four bogeys and a double-bogey for a second straight 40.
Still, the troika, whose campaign is sanctioned by National Golf Association of
the Phils. and backed by ICTSI and the Philippine Sports Commission, hopes to
improve as it tackles the shorter Olivos layout in the second round of the
72-hole championship Friday.(pr)
Amateur Golf Championships as it hobbled with a 12-over 156 and fell to joint
51st in the Espirito Santo Trophy at the Buenos Aires Golf Club in Argentina
Thursday.
Mhark Fernando made a five-over 77 and Jhonnel Ababa limped home with a
seven-over 79 for the team’s 156 output, 19 strokes behind France which pooled a
seven-under 137 at the par-72 BAGC.
Canada also had a 137 but it assembled its five-under card at the par-71 Olivos
Golf Club, giving France an early two-stroke lead in the three-to-play,
two-to-count format event.
Judson Eustaquio didn’t count with an 80 as Team RP dropped into a tie with
unfancied Kenya in 51st place, its worst since the team of Jay Bayron, Michael
Bibat and Marvin Dumandan opened with a 10-over 154 and wound up 38th in the
2006 World Am in South Africa.
The RP golfers never recovered from a poor start at the backside of the
wind-raked layout with Fernando carding a six-over 41 from two double bogeys and
two bogeys against a bogey.
Eustaquio opened with a birdie on No. 10 but made a double bogey on No. 12 then
bogeyed three of the next six holes for a 40.
Ababa, in his final stint in the amateurs, stumbled with two bogeys and two
double bogeys and wound up with a birdie-less 42.
The 28-year-old Fernando, who will also turn pro after next month’s Asian Games,
hit back-to-back birdies from No. 1 but made three bogeys against a birdie in
the next seven holes for a 36 and a 77.
Ababa settled down with two bogeys against a birdie but hardly improved with a
37 and 79 while Eustaquio gunned down back-to-back birdies from No. 6 but had
four bogeys and a double-bogey for a second straight 40.
Still, the troika, whose campaign is sanctioned by National Golf Association of
the Phils. and backed by ICTSI and the Philippine Sports Commission, hopes to
improve as it tackles the shorter Olivos layout in the second round of the
72-hole championship Friday.(pr)
RP golfers open bid in World Am
The Philippines opens its campaign in the Eisenhower Trophy, the men’s side of
the World Amateur Golf Team Championships, which begins Thursday with 70 teams
slugging it out for top honors at the Olivos Golf Club and Buenos Aires Golf
Club in Argentina.
Hopes are high for the team of Mhark Fernando, Dabawenyo Jhonnel Ababa and US-based Judson
Eustaquio as the troika tries to duplicate the RP ladies’ best-ever finish of
joint eighth in the Espirito Santo Trophy last week.
Dottie Ardina, Dabawenya Chihiro Ikeda and Mia Piccio pooled a four-day total of 575 as
the ICTSI-backed team shared eighth place with Germany and New Zealand, the
country’s best since the 1968 team finished ninth in Australia.
“They are ready but they had to contend not only with the talent laden field and
a tough course but also the chilly weather here,” said NGAP official and team
captain Pablo Soon.
The RP men’s squad actually turned in a pair of third-place finishes in 1984 and
2002 but has struggled in the last three stagings of the biennial event, winding
up joint 23rd in 2004, ending up 38th in 2006 and sharing 27th place the last
time in Australia on a team built around Rufino Bayron, Ferdie Aunzo and Jerson
Balasabas.
But Fernando, Ababa and Eustaquio are all-geared up for this week’s event, a
three-to-play, two-to-count format tournament spread over four days.
Ababa, in fact, hopes to cap his stint in the ranks on a high note as the
veteran internationalist has decided to turn pro after this event.
Fernando, on the other hand, will leave the ranks after the Asian Games next
month with the former national champion raring to build up momentum and boost
his confidence with a solid showing this week in time for the Guangzhou Asiad.
Eustaquio, a former Florida Amateur champion, is also out to prove his worth in
the tournament featuring the world’s leading teams, headed by defending champion
Scotland and many-time titlist United States.
The team, handled by Tommy Manotoc and whose campaign is sanctioned by the
National Golf Association of the Phils. and sponsored by ICTSI, drew a morning
tee-off time at 7:30 a.m. with Ababa kicking off RP’s campaign at the BAGC
against Jose Rodriguez of Puerto Rico and Dutch Robin Kind.
Eustaquio is paired with Robi Calvesbert and Fernand Osther while Fernando is
set to start with Rafael Campos and Daan Huizing.(pr)
the World Amateur Golf Team Championships, which begins Thursday with 70 teams
slugging it out for top honors at the Olivos Golf Club and Buenos Aires Golf
Club in Argentina.
Hopes are high for the team of Mhark Fernando, Dabawenyo Jhonnel Ababa and US-based Judson
Eustaquio as the troika tries to duplicate the RP ladies’ best-ever finish of
joint eighth in the Espirito Santo Trophy last week.
Dottie Ardina, Dabawenya Chihiro Ikeda and Mia Piccio pooled a four-day total of 575 as
the ICTSI-backed team shared eighth place with Germany and New Zealand, the
country’s best since the 1968 team finished ninth in Australia.
“They are ready but they had to contend not only with the talent laden field and
a tough course but also the chilly weather here,” said NGAP official and team
captain Pablo Soon.
The RP men’s squad actually turned in a pair of third-place finishes in 1984 and
2002 but has struggled in the last three stagings of the biennial event, winding
up joint 23rd in 2004, ending up 38th in 2006 and sharing 27th place the last
time in Australia on a team built around Rufino Bayron, Ferdie Aunzo and Jerson
Balasabas.
But Fernando, Ababa and Eustaquio are all-geared up for this week’s event, a
three-to-play, two-to-count format tournament spread over four days.
Ababa, in fact, hopes to cap his stint in the ranks on a high note as the
veteran internationalist has decided to turn pro after this event.
Fernando, on the other hand, will leave the ranks after the Asian Games next
month with the former national champion raring to build up momentum and boost
his confidence with a solid showing this week in time for the Guangzhou Asiad.
Eustaquio, a former Florida Amateur champion, is also out to prove his worth in
the tournament featuring the world’s leading teams, headed by defending champion
Scotland and many-time titlist United States.
The team, handled by Tommy Manotoc and whose campaign is sanctioned by the
National Golf Association of the Phils. and sponsored by ICTSI, drew a morning
tee-off time at 7:30 a.m. with Ababa kicking off RP’s campaign at the BAGC
against Jose Rodriguez of Puerto Rico and Dutch Robin Kind.
Eustaquio is paired with Robi Calvesbert and Fernand Osther while Fernando is
set to start with Rafael Campos and Daan Huizing.(pr)
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Cangolf Am listup ends today
Registration for the Canlubang Amateur Open Golf Championship ends today
(Friday, Oct. 8) with the field now close to reaching the 200-player mark with
five days left before the 11th staging of the annual event is fired off at
Cangolf’s north and south courses in Laguna.
Jhonnel Ababa, who edged former national champion Mhark Fernando and now-pro
Antonio Asistio II by one stroke to win last year’s crown, heads the
talent-laden roster that includes the other members of the national team and the
country’s leading and upcoming junior players.
The event, sponsored by The Turf Company and Pacsports Phils., is set Oct.
13-15.
Also seeing action in the event, backed by ICTSI, Dynamic Sports, Inc.,
Coca-Cola Bottlers, Inc., GolfWorx, Jose Ma. Hechanova, Rudy Project, Greenlink
Trading, Otsuka (Phils) Pharmaceutical, Inc., MayCar Foods, Inc., Merlo
Agricultural Corp., Mesaland Dev’t. Corp., Nature’s Spring, Pilipinas Golfbag
Mfg., San Miguel Brewery, Inc., Seamecor, Inc., and Whealth, Inc., are the
standouts in the ladies ranks, led by Sarah Ababa, Geleen Handog and the
comebacking former RP Ladies Open champion Jayvie Agojo.
For listup, contact contact Cangolf office at (049) 549-1363 or (049) 549-7201
(Fely Anillo or Darly Patalot) and at Makati office at (02) 897-6887 or (fax)
890-9321 (Maite Tangco or Carla Reyes).
Fees are pegged at P2,500 for non-member and P1,000 for club member, inclusive
of free practice round, raffle, giveaways and lunch on Oct. 15.
The event also features 36-hole competitions in Classes A (11 below), B
(12-20) and C (21 and above) and the ladies category (Open) to be played in the
last two days of the tournament.(pr)
(Friday, Oct. 8) with the field now close to reaching the 200-player mark with
five days left before the 11th staging of the annual event is fired off at
Cangolf’s north and south courses in Laguna.
Jhonnel Ababa, who edged former national champion Mhark Fernando and now-pro
Antonio Asistio II by one stroke to win last year’s crown, heads the
talent-laden roster that includes the other members of the national team and the
country’s leading and upcoming junior players.
The event, sponsored by The Turf Company and Pacsports Phils., is set Oct.
13-15.
Also seeing action in the event, backed by ICTSI, Dynamic Sports, Inc.,
Coca-Cola Bottlers, Inc., GolfWorx, Jose Ma. Hechanova, Rudy Project, Greenlink
Trading, Otsuka (Phils) Pharmaceutical, Inc., MayCar Foods, Inc., Merlo
Agricultural Corp., Mesaland Dev’t. Corp., Nature’s Spring, Pilipinas Golfbag
Mfg., San Miguel Brewery, Inc., Seamecor, Inc., and Whealth, Inc., are the
standouts in the ladies ranks, led by Sarah Ababa, Geleen Handog and the
comebacking former RP Ladies Open champion Jayvie Agojo.
For listup, contact contact Cangolf office at (049) 549-1363 or (049) 549-7201
(Fely Anillo or Darly Patalot) and at Makati office at (02) 897-6887 or (fax)
890-9321 (Maite Tangco or Carla Reyes).
Fees are pegged at P2,500 for non-member and P1,000 for club member, inclusive
of free practice round, raffle, giveaways and lunch on Oct. 15.
The event also features 36-hole competitions in Classes A (11 below), B
(12-20) and C (21 and above) and the ladies category (Open) to be played in the
last two days of the tournament.(pr)
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Cuppers blow 6-shot lead but RP juniors pull away
The Philippines blew a six-shot lead in the Putra Cup but pulled away in the
Lion City Cup behind its gutsy junior squad while gaining ground in the Santi
Cup in the second day of action at the Royal Selangor Golf Club in Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia, Wednesday.
Mhark Fernando slowed down with a 73 after a 69 as Team RP sputtered with a 224
after a 214 for a 438, dropping to second behind a charging Thailand side, which
grabbed the lead at 437 after a 217.
Singapore matched RP’s first round 214 as it moved up to third with a 443 while
Malaysia took fourth spot with a 452 after a 223 followed by Indonesia
(221-454), Myanmar (230-458), Hong Kong (240-480) and Laos (248-495) in that
order.
Miguel Tabuena struggled with a 76 after a 72 but Jerson Balasabas counted with
a 75 as Dabawenyo Jhonnel Ababa groped for form with a 79.
Poom Saksankin fired a 69 for Thailand, which also drew a 73 from Suparkorn
Utaipat and a 75 from Wasin Sripattranusorn while Gregory Foo shot the
tournament best of 68 for Singapore, which also got a 72 from Joshua Shou and a
74 from Tze Huang Choo.
The RP juniors, meanwhile, padded its overnight lead of four to six with a 221
as it assembled a 36-hole of 447, six shots clear of Thailand, which had a 453
after a 223. Malaysia stood at third with a 225-457 followed by Singapore
(227-458), Indonesia (227-461), Hong Kong (237-471) and Myanmar (245-482).
The RP ladies also bounced back into contention after an awful start as it shot
a 221-448 to move within three shots off Thailand, which struggled with a 229
after a 216 for a 445.
Malaysia matched RP’s 221 to remain tied for second while Indonesia made a 228
for fourth at 462 followed by Myanmar (235-469), Singapore (240-470) and Hong
Kong (240-482).
“It was a tough day for the men’s team but I’m confident they would recover in
the last two days,” said NGAP president Leandro Mendoza. “With our junior team
sustaining its form and the ladies squad fighting back, we could even aspire for
a sweep.”
The Thais did the trick last year when they dominated the Lion and Santi Cups
and outlasted the Singaporeans in the Putra Cup in Chiangrai.
The RP ladies, meanwhile, rebounded from a harrowing first round stint of 227 as
it pooled a 221 then watched Thailand fumble with a 229 to wheel back into
contention in the Santi Cup.
Andie Unson, who shared the scoring honors with Irina Gabasa with 75s in Team
RP‘s atrocious 227 output in the first round, carded a 73 while Gabasa and ICTSI
teammates Dottie Ardina and Chihiro Ikeda all turned in 74s with one dropped
from the scoring in the four-to-play, three-to-count format event.
But the 221 proved enough to put the Filipinas back in the title hunt, moving
within three strokes off Thailand after falling by 11 strokes after 18 holes.
The Thais skied to a 229 after an impressive 216 for a 445, just three shot
ahead of the charging Philippines and Malaysia, which remained tied at second
with 448s. The hosts matched the Pinays 221 output.
The 15-year-old Unson,who ruled the AccuSport Championship in North Carolina,
the San Diego Junior Masters and the Optimist International Junior tournament
early in the year, also moved within two strokes off Thai veteran Yupaporn
Kawinpakorn in the individual race, assembling a 36-hole aggregate of 148.
Kawinpakorn remained in the lead with a 146.(pr)
Lion City Cup behind its gutsy junior squad while gaining ground in the Santi
Cup in the second day of action at the Royal Selangor Golf Club in Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia, Wednesday.
Mhark Fernando slowed down with a 73 after a 69 as Team RP sputtered with a 224
after a 214 for a 438, dropping to second behind a charging Thailand side, which
grabbed the lead at 437 after a 217.
Singapore matched RP’s first round 214 as it moved up to third with a 443 while
Malaysia took fourth spot with a 452 after a 223 followed by Indonesia
(221-454), Myanmar (230-458), Hong Kong (240-480) and Laos (248-495) in that
order.
Miguel Tabuena struggled with a 76 after a 72 but Jerson Balasabas counted with
a 75 as Dabawenyo Jhonnel Ababa groped for form with a 79.
Poom Saksankin fired a 69 for Thailand, which also drew a 73 from Suparkorn
Utaipat and a 75 from Wasin Sripattranusorn while Gregory Foo shot the
tournament best of 68 for Singapore, which also got a 72 from Joshua Shou and a
74 from Tze Huang Choo.
The RP juniors, meanwhile, padded its overnight lead of four to six with a 221
as it assembled a 36-hole of 447, six shots clear of Thailand, which had a 453
after a 223. Malaysia stood at third with a 225-457 followed by Singapore
(227-458), Indonesia (227-461), Hong Kong (237-471) and Myanmar (245-482).
The RP ladies also bounced back into contention after an awful start as it shot
a 221-448 to move within three shots off Thailand, which struggled with a 229
after a 216 for a 445.
Malaysia matched RP’s 221 to remain tied for second while Indonesia made a 228
for fourth at 462 followed by Myanmar (235-469), Singapore (240-470) and Hong
Kong (240-482).
“It was a tough day for the men’s team but I’m confident they would recover in
the last two days,” said NGAP president Leandro Mendoza. “With our junior team
sustaining its form and the ladies squad fighting back, we could even aspire for
a sweep.”
The Thais did the trick last year when they dominated the Lion and Santi Cups
and outlasted the Singaporeans in the Putra Cup in Chiangrai.
The RP ladies, meanwhile, rebounded from a harrowing first round stint of 227 as
it pooled a 221 then watched Thailand fumble with a 229 to wheel back into
contention in the Santi Cup.
Andie Unson, who shared the scoring honors with Irina Gabasa with 75s in Team
RP‘s atrocious 227 output in the first round, carded a 73 while Gabasa and ICTSI
teammates Dottie Ardina and Chihiro Ikeda all turned in 74s with one dropped
from the scoring in the four-to-play, three-to-count format event.
But the 221 proved enough to put the Filipinas back in the title hunt, moving
within three strokes off Thailand after falling by 11 strokes after 18 holes.
The Thais skied to a 229 after an impressive 216 for a 445, just three shot
ahead of the charging Philippines and Malaysia, which remained tied at second
with 448s. The hosts matched the Pinays 221 output.
The 15-year-old Unson,who ruled the AccuSport Championship in North Carolina,
the San Diego Junior Masters and the Optimist International Junior tournament
early in the year, also moved within two strokes off Thai veteran Yupaporn
Kawinpakorn in the individual race, assembling a 36-hole aggregate of 148.
Kawinpakorn remained in the lead with a 146.(pr)
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Becierra threatens within two with 70, Davao's Ababa shots 78
Dante Becierra turned in the day’s best score of one-under par 70 and moved within two strokes off Edgar Oh of Singapore in the third round of the Singapore Open Amateur Championship at the Warren Golf and Country Club in Singapore, Thursday.
Five behind the local bet at the start of the round, Becierra bucked an opening hole bogey with three straight birdies, including a pitch-in at the 220-yard par-3 No. 7, a tap-in on the par-5 No. 8 which he reached in two and a 26-footer on the ninth, which he double-bogeyed the previous round.
“My all-around game just clicked and I made a couple of lucky birdies,” said Becierra, who had a 219, in Filipino. “I could have done better but I missed a couple of birdie putts inside six feet.”
Oh remained on top despite a second straight two-over 73 for a 217 as the field continued to struggle under tough playing condition at the tight par-71 layout with Ashbeer Singh Saini, two behind Oh at the halfway way, fumbling with a 76 and tumbling to joint fifth at 222 in a tie with Jerome Ng of Singapore and Rashin Khan of India, who both had 71s.
Nay Bala Win of Myanmar and Mithun Perera of Sri Lanka were tied at third with 220s after a 71 and a 73, respectively.
The 23-year-old top ICTSI-The Country Club bet is seeking his first international crown since sweeping Hong Kong’s premier amateur events – the HK Amateur Open and the Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau International Amateur Open – in 2007.
“I need to stay focused and try to keep it close and let’s see what happens,” said Becierra, trying to become the first Filipino to win here since Michael Bibat ruled the event in 2004.
Mhark Fernando made a 33 at the back and salvaged a 75 for 225 for eighth while ICTSI-Cangolf teammate Jessie Balasabas stood in jointh 18th with a 228 after a 75.
But while Becierra moved up from joint ninth to solo second, ICTSI teammates Justin Limjap (78-233) and Brent Sumampong (82-239) floundered heading into the final round of the 72-hole championship.
Davao's Jhonnel Ababa had a 235 after 78.(pr)
Five behind the local bet at the start of the round, Becierra bucked an opening hole bogey with three straight birdies, including a pitch-in at the 220-yard par-3 No. 7, a tap-in on the par-5 No. 8 which he reached in two and a 26-footer on the ninth, which he double-bogeyed the previous round.
“My all-around game just clicked and I made a couple of lucky birdies,” said Becierra, who had a 219, in Filipino. “I could have done better but I missed a couple of birdie putts inside six feet.”
Oh remained on top despite a second straight two-over 73 for a 217 as the field continued to struggle under tough playing condition at the tight par-71 layout with Ashbeer Singh Saini, two behind Oh at the halfway way, fumbling with a 76 and tumbling to joint fifth at 222 in a tie with Jerome Ng of Singapore and Rashin Khan of India, who both had 71s.
Nay Bala Win of Myanmar and Mithun Perera of Sri Lanka were tied at third with 220s after a 71 and a 73, respectively.
The 23-year-old top ICTSI-The Country Club bet is seeking his first international crown since sweeping Hong Kong’s premier amateur events – the HK Amateur Open and the Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau International Amateur Open – in 2007.
“I need to stay focused and try to keep it close and let’s see what happens,” said Becierra, trying to become the first Filipino to win here since Michael Bibat ruled the event in 2004.
Mhark Fernando made a 33 at the back and salvaged a 75 for 225 for eighth while ICTSI-Cangolf teammate Jessie Balasabas stood in jointh 18th with a 228 after a 75.
But while Becierra moved up from joint ninth to solo second, ICTSI teammates Justin Limjap (78-233) and Brent Sumampong (82-239) floundered heading into the final round of the 72-hole championship.
Davao's Jhonnel Ababa had a 235 after 78.(pr)
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Becierra 5 shots off as Fernando falters, Davao's Ababa hardly moves up
Former Hong Kong Amateur Open champion Dante Becierra came out a bit better in a day of soaring scores, carding a four-over par 75 to trail new leader Edgar Oh by five strokes midway through the Singapore Open Amateur Championship at the Warren Golf and Country Club in Singapore, Wednesday.
With Mhark Fernando hobbling with an eight-over 79 and tumbling down from joint second to share of 11th, Becierra took the challenger’s role with a 149, vowing to make a charge in the final two rounds in pursuit of his first win after scoring back-to-back victories in Hong Kong in 2007.
“The course is too tough with its tight fairways and thick roughs. It’s risky to hit it with a driver but you’ll give up length with a 3-wood off the mound. So it’s a gamble and I’ll try to give it a shot in the last two days,” said Becierra, who also won three low amateur honors on the ICTSI-PGT circuit back home.
Oh flashed his familiarity with the demanding layout although the local bet faltered with four bogeys against two birdies for a two-over 73 that proved enough to shove him to the top with a 144.
That was two strokes up on Indian Ashbeer Singh Saini, who turned in the day’s best score of one-over 72 for a 146 while another local entry George Anthony Foo tied erstwhile leader Mithun Perera of Sri Lanka at 147 after a 75.
Perera, impressive with a one-under 70 in the first round, fumbled with a bogey-littered six-over 77. Hamza Amin of Pakistan also wavered with a 76 to join Foo and Perera in third.
Becierra, the top ICTSI-backed bet searching for his first international win since scoring back-to-back in Hong Kong in 2007, actually turned in a solid start of one-under 35. But he double-bogeyed No. 11, dropped two more strokes on No. 14 then bogeyed the difficult 18th for a 40 and a 75.
Worse was Fernando, the ICTSI-Cangolf standout who had a decent one-over 36 at the back where he teed off. But the former national champion back home found the going tough at the front, bogeying the first three holes, dropping two strokes on No. 4 before holing out with another double-bogey mishap for an awful 43.
Jessie Balasabas slid from 21st to joint 26th at 153 after a six-over 77 in a round marred by a triple-bogey 8 on No. 15, a double bogey on No. 2 and five bogeys against four birdies.
Justin Limjap, one of the new members of the ICTSI-The Country Club team, limped with an 80 for joint 32nd at 155 while Davao's Jhonnel Ababa hardly moved up with a 77 and a 157 in a tie with Brent Sumampong, who also made an 80.(pr)
With Mhark Fernando hobbling with an eight-over 79 and tumbling down from joint second to share of 11th, Becierra took the challenger’s role with a 149, vowing to make a charge in the final two rounds in pursuit of his first win after scoring back-to-back victories in Hong Kong in 2007.
“The course is too tough with its tight fairways and thick roughs. It’s risky to hit it with a driver but you’ll give up length with a 3-wood off the mound. So it’s a gamble and I’ll try to give it a shot in the last two days,” said Becierra, who also won three low amateur honors on the ICTSI-PGT circuit back home.
Oh flashed his familiarity with the demanding layout although the local bet faltered with four bogeys against two birdies for a two-over 73 that proved enough to shove him to the top with a 144.
That was two strokes up on Indian Ashbeer Singh Saini, who turned in the day’s best score of one-over 72 for a 146 while another local entry George Anthony Foo tied erstwhile leader Mithun Perera of Sri Lanka at 147 after a 75.
Perera, impressive with a one-under 70 in the first round, fumbled with a bogey-littered six-over 77. Hamza Amin of Pakistan also wavered with a 76 to join Foo and Perera in third.
Becierra, the top ICTSI-backed bet searching for his first international win since scoring back-to-back in Hong Kong in 2007, actually turned in a solid start of one-under 35. But he double-bogeyed No. 11, dropped two more strokes on No. 14 then bogeyed the difficult 18th for a 40 and a 75.
Worse was Fernando, the ICTSI-Cangolf standout who had a decent one-over 36 at the back where he teed off. But the former national champion back home found the going tough at the front, bogeying the first three holes, dropping two strokes on No. 4 before holing out with another double-bogey mishap for an awful 43.
Jessie Balasabas slid from 21st to joint 26th at 153 after a six-over 77 in a round marred by a triple-bogey 8 on No. 15, a double bogey on No. 2 and five bogeys against four birdies.
Justin Limjap, one of the new members of the ICTSI-The Country Club team, limped with an 80 for joint 32nd at 155 while Davao's Jhonnel Ababa hardly moved up with a 77 and a 157 in a tie with Brent Sumampong, who also made an 80.(pr)
Monday, August 23, 2010
Fernando heads RP bid in Singapore Open Am, Davao's Ababa also in the fold
Former national champion Mhark Fernando will be among the marked men when the Singapore Amateur Open Championship is fired off beginning Tuesday at the Warren Golf and Country Club course in Singapore.
Fernando has been tipped as among the favorites in the four-day championship by the local media along with Malaysian Jeremiah Kim, who recently won the Singapore junior crown, Nay Bala Win Mying of Myanmar, Hamza Amin of Pakistan and Mithu Perera of Sri Lanka and local bets Jerome Ng and Koh Dengshan.
The veteran Filipino campaigner drew a 7:55 a.m. tee-off on No. 1 in the company of Winston Wu of Hong Kong, Amin and Perera.
Dante Becierra, on the other hand, hopes to come up with a strong start as he seeks to end a three-year title drought after scoring back-to-back victories in the Hong Kong Amateur Open and the HK Jockey Club Championship in 2004.
Becierra will start at the backside of the rolling par-72 layout in the 8:16 a.m. flight that includes Safdar Khan of Pakistan, Ong Chew Meng of Singapore and ICTSI teammate Brent Sumampong.
Davao's Jhonnel Ababa is also in the fold along with Jessie Balasabas, the low amateur in the recent Aboitiz Invitational of the ICTSI-PGT circuit, Miguel Tabuena and Justin Limjap with the Filipinos campaign sponsored by ICTSI and sanctioned by the National Golf Association of the Phils.(pr)
Fernando has been tipped as among the favorites in the four-day championship by the local media along with Malaysian Jeremiah Kim, who recently won the Singapore junior crown, Nay Bala Win Mying of Myanmar, Hamza Amin of Pakistan and Mithu Perera of Sri Lanka and local bets Jerome Ng and Koh Dengshan.
The veteran Filipino campaigner drew a 7:55 a.m. tee-off on No. 1 in the company of Winston Wu of Hong Kong, Amin and Perera.
Dante Becierra, on the other hand, hopes to come up with a strong start as he seeks to end a three-year title drought after scoring back-to-back victories in the Hong Kong Amateur Open and the HK Jockey Club Championship in 2004.
Becierra will start at the backside of the rolling par-72 layout in the 8:16 a.m. flight that includes Safdar Khan of Pakistan, Ong Chew Meng of Singapore and ICTSI teammate Brent Sumampong.
Davao's Jhonnel Ababa is also in the fold along with Jessie Balasabas, the low amateur in the recent Aboitiz Invitational of the ICTSI-PGT circuit, Miguel Tabuena and Justin Limjap with the Filipinos campaign sponsored by ICTSI and sanctioned by the National Golf Association of the Phils.(pr)
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