Paez, Bayron waver, stay ahead
MANILA, Philippines - American Nicolas Paez and local ace Jay Bayron stumbled with a pair of 74s in varying fashions but kept their 1-2 posts as erstwhile contender Blake Snyder tumbled down with a 77 in a punishing day in the third round of the Aboitiz Invitational at Wack Wack’s East course yesterday.
Scores soared as the field struggled in the wind and tough pin placements although Paez and Bayron, despite their over-par cards, remained four and three strokes ahead, respectively, of their pursuers heading to the last 18 holes of what loomed to be a two-man shootout for the top $17,500 purse in this $100,000 championship sponsored by Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. and backed by ICTSI.
Paez, who parred his last three holes late Thursday to shoot a 68 and grab a one-stroke lead over Bayron and Snyder halfway through the 72-hole championship, recovered from a 38 start and a four-over card after 12 holes with birdies on Nos. 13 and 15 and saved that 74 and a 211.
The 24-year-old American was way off his timing off the tee, either hitting to the left or right at the tight frontside.
“I was struggling a little bit after eight holes. I just told myself to move on and minimize my mistakes. But I finished fairly strong and that’s what mattered,” said Paez.
Bayron, who took charge in the first round with a 67 but dropped to joint second with a 71, regained the lead with a 36 after nine holes but hit back-to-back wild drives to start the backside and made bogeys on Nos. 10 and 11. He fought back with a birdie on No. 13 but dropped another stroke on No. 15 to match Paez’s 74 and remained a stroke adrift at 212.
But it was his spectacular par-save on No. 2, where he hit a wayward drive that landed on the ladies tee, which spiked his round.
“If there was a highlight of the day, that was it,” said Bayron, grinning.
But the inaugural champion in Cebu in 2011 liked his chances for a second Abotiz win although he stressed the need for solid driving and iron play to foil Paez and the rest of the pursuers.
“I believe I have a perfect chance to win. But I need to play solid off the tee and get my iron game clicking,” said Bayron.
Tony Lascuña continued to make a charge after a disastrous opening 76, following up his second round 70 with a three-under 69 as the former three-time Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit winner moved into joint third with Swede Malcolm Kokocinski, Snyder and an equally charging Gavin Green of Malaysia at 215.
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