Dumandan, Bayron gain 1-shot lead

LIPA City, Batangas, Philippines – Jay Bayron and Marvin Dumandan took charge with identical 67s fashioned out in sun and rain as they wrested a one-stroke lead over Rufino Bayron at the start of the ICTSI Classic at Mt. Malarayat composite course here yesterday.

Teeing off at Mt. Malipunyo, Jay Bayron bucked a double-bogey mishap on No. 14 with seven birdies, including four at Mt. Lobo side of the layout to tie  the back-to-back winner with Dumandan.

The power-hitting Dumandan anchored his strong start in the P2 million event on a fiery windup at Mt. Malipunyo, a four-under 32 he spiked with an eagle on the par-5 17th.

“I feel confident, especially with my driving. I can now control my shots and my putting has been very steady,” said Dumandan, who tied for ninth at Riviera.

He actually set his bid with two birdies in the first four holes but stumbled with a bogey on the seventh before birdying Nos. 10 and 14 then knocked a shot from 260 yards to within six feet for eagle on the 17th and a 67.

Jay Bayron matched that five-under card minutes later with the hottest player on the circuit, organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., also coming back from a 36 start at the back with five birdies, including back-to-back feats from No. 1, another pair from close range on Nos. 5 and 7 before closing out with another on the ninth.

Rufino Bayron, also out to snap a two-year title drought, had  a scorching windup of four birdies in the last seven holes, including three straight from No. 12, as the 2014 ICTSI Orchard Championship ADT winner carded 68 to stay within one off the joint leaders.

Clyde Mondilla came charging back in the last flight with three birdies in the last five holes to save a two-under 70 and tie Benjie Magada, Orlan Sumcad, Mars Pucay, Jobim Carlos and Dutch Guido Van der Valk at fourth.