Canlubang posts nine-pt lead over Luisita in PAL golf

DEFENDING champion placed bunkers and which requires a variety of shots from steep uphill and downhill lies, put into focus not just the field’s talent and skills but also its physical and mental stamina.

Canlubang drew brilliant two-under 70 worth 56 points from Abe Rosal and 52 from Damasus Wong to zoom to a nine-point lead over Luisita after the first 18 holes of the Philippine Airlines Interclub Seniors championship at wellmanicured Alta Vista course in Cebu City on Wednesday.

With the seasoned Rolly Viray accounting for 47 points, the Sugar Barons were so impressive that they had to discard the 46 of Mari Hechanova in grabbing momentum going into the second round that will be played at unpredictable Club Filipino in Danao City.

You don’t have to be too aggressive on this course,” said Kongkraphan, the best-credentialed player in the fold with an eight-year LPGA Tour experience and winner of the Thai LPGA Tour Order of Merit trophy last year.

S he unleashed a fist-pump after hitting a lead-grabbing birdie that capped a near-impeccable round spiked by birdies on Nos. 2, 7, 10 and 11 against a bogey on the 16th.

I hit very good tee shots and kept the ball in the fairway most of the time. But the wind picked up at the back nine and it’s very hard (to drive) off the tee but I still hit them (fairways),” said Kongkraphan, who placed third and second in the first two legs, respectively, of the Thai LPGA recently.

On second shots, I tried not to be too aggressive and if I had the chance to get close to the hole, I just made the birdie[s],” she added.

D espite her late mishap, Pagdanganan said she was satisfied with her round, her first in the country as a pro, which she described as “pretty steady.”