Sumcad resumes bid for breakthru win

ANTIPOLO – Orlan Sumcad resumes his quest for his first professional title in today’s penultimate round of the ICTSI Valley Challenge at the Valley Golf Club’s South course.

With yesterday’s continuous rains softening the fairways even more, the 33-year-old Sumcad is expected to make the most of his power off the tee and keep the big names in the field at bay as he tries to protect a two-stroke lead over rookie pro Gene Bondoc and rising amateur star Jessie Balasabas coming off a rest day.

Tournament officials will assess the condition of the course before they decide whether to allow lift, clean and place for today’s round.

“The course is a bit soggy, but it remains to be in good condition,” Valley golf manager Bong Vilchez said after a thorough inspection at noon yesterday. “We just need to talk to tournament officials whether to allow preferred rules (for the second round).”

Sumcad fired a 68 on Tuesday to grab the first round lead and once more mount a strong challenge for a breakthrough win he missed in the Mount Malarayat leg of the fledging Asean Tour in November last year.

Tournament favorite Cassius Casas also tries to make up more ground, lurking in a tie for fourth another stroke behind Balasabas and Bondoc.

Others still in the mix are former Philippine Open champion Robert Pactolerin, Rey Pagunsan, Danny Zarate, Elmer Salvador and at least a handful of others who are within five strokes off the pace.