Aboitiz Invitational: Van der Valk, Bayron lead

CEBU, Philippines – Jay Bayron and Guido Van Der Valk share the lead going into today's final round of the 2010 Aboitiz Invitational at the Cebu Country Club, which is the 11th leg of the Philippine Golf Tour.

The leaders are at 9-under-par for the tournament. 

Bayron, who was the solo leader after the opening day, had an eagle-aided three-under-par 69 yesterday to add to his first round of 66.. 

Van der Valk, who is playing on a sponsor's invitation, carded six-under-par 66 with birdies on the 2nd, 6th, 7th, 10th, 11th, 16th and 18th holes tarnished by a bogey on the 14th. He made 69 the other day.

Van der Valk is from the Netherlands, but has been living in the Philippines for three years now.

Bayron, who is yet to win a tournament this year despite having been tied for the lead or on solo lead in four other occasions, hopes to get the monkey off his back with a win today.

He could have taken the solo lead on the 18th, but missed an uphill five-footer, which was one of five birdie chances he missed yesterday.

The 31-year-old pro from Davao, whose wife is now seven months pregnant, capped yesterday's round with an eagle three on the par-4 11th nailing a five-foot putt.

Three shots off the leader are order of merit leader Juvic Pagunsan with rounds of 70 and 68, Marvin Dumandan 68-70 and Roberto Bernis, Jr. 67-71.

Artemio Murakami lurks at five-under with rounds of 68 and 71.

Three others are tied at four-under-par - Ferdinand Aunzo (71-69), Angelo Que (70-70), and Frankie Miñoza (69-71).

Bayron said that if the winter rules will continue to be in play for today's final round of this 54-hole tournament, he would need to shoot four-under-par to win. If the summer rules will be in play, then two-under-par might do.

Due to the wet condition of the course, players are allowed to mark, lift, clean and place their ball before hitting their next shot.

Veteran Robert Pactolerin is with two others at two-under-par. Pactolerin had rounds of 70 and 71 while Rey Pagunsan shot 69 and 72 and Albin Engino also made 69 and 72.

Gerald Rosales (71-71) is at two-under-par along with Tony Lascuña (70-72) and amateur leader Mhark Fernando (70-72).

Three more are at one-under-par including amateur Bayani Garcia, the reigning champion of the host club. Garcia had rounds of 72 and 71. Tied with him are Rolando Marabe (73-70) and Eddie Bagtas (72-71).

A total of 57 players made the cut, which was at four-over-par.

Among the notables, who got a ticket to the final round are Elmer Salvador at even-par, Cebuano Danny Zarate at three-over-par and amateur Carl Almario, a multi winner of the CCC club championships, who carded four-over-par on rounds of 75 and 73.

This event is run by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments and is mainly backed by International Container Services Inc. (THE FREEMAN)