Unknown Salvador leads; rain halts play

MANILA, Philippines - Obscure Zaldy Salvador upstaged some of the country’s leading players as he turned in a one-under 71 to take the provisional lead in the rain-halted first round of the ICTSI Mimosa Golf Challenge at the Mimosa Golf and Country Club in Clark, Pampanga yesterday.

Salvador, younger brother of reigning Philippine Open champion Elmer Salvador, pieced nines of 35-36 for the day’s lone-under par card at the tough par 35-37 layout as the field struggled under scorching heat and then later in heavy downpour.

Seven flights were stranded as organizers decided to suspend play due to rainstorm in late afternoon, making Zaldy Salvador, 37, a bewildered leader among 77 pros and 20 amateur vying for top honors in the 54-hole tournament sponsored by ICTSI and organized by Pilipinas.

Marvin Dumandan, tipped as one of the contenders for the top P200,000 purse in the penultimate leg of the 13-stage circuit, salvaged an even par 72 in a round marred by a triple-bogey 8 on No. 13 with two visits to the lateral hazard while trying to reach the green in two.

“Medyo masama palo pero okay lang pwesto ko (I’m not hitting the ball well but I like my chances),” said Dumandan, out to score a back-to-back title romp after ruling the ICTSI-Northwoods leg last month.

Joining Dumandan, who also won the ICTSI-Sherwood Classic last March, in second were Rufino Bayron, Antonio Asistio II and Gene Bondoc and amateur Charles Hong.

Bondoc actually had the best score at the front with a three-under 32 but faltered with three bogeys at the back.

Benjie Magada, seeking a follow up to his playoff victory over Tony Lascuna at ICTSI-Orchard, made a triple bogey on No. 16 and finished with a 73 while Elmer Salvador groped for form all day and limped home with a four-over 77.

“Babawi ako bukas. Aatake na ako (I will fight back and will play an attacking game),” said Elmer Salvador, who convinced his brother to join the pro tour last year.

Zaldy passed the qualifier last year but only joined the tournament in the last five legs of this year’s circuit, making the cut at ICTSI-Apo and Aboitiz Invitational in Cebu but missing out at ICTSI-Del Monte and ICTSI-Northwoods.

Other 73 scorers were Ramil Bisera, Ferdie Aunzo, Joseph Labajo, Roberto Pactolerin, Rey Pagunsan, Edgar Ababa and amateur Dante Becierra.