Zaragosa fires 67, leads by 3 at Cangolf

MANILA, Philippines - Rupert Zaragosa fired a five-under 67 after a 70 as he stormed to a three-stroke lead over two Korean expats heading to the final round of the 14th Canlubang-Petron Amateur Open at the South Course of the Canlubang Golf and Country Club in Laguna Thursday.

Zaragosa, the reigning men’s and boy’s national champion, gunned down six birdies to negate a lone bogey on the tough layout for a 36-hole aggregate of 137 in the event that also serves as qualifier for the Philippine Match Play championship next week.

Park Min-ung and Jung Tea-yang, seeking to keep the crown won by fellow Korean Kim In Jae of Eagle Ridge last year, shot 66 and 71, respectively, as they tied for second at 140, with former match play champion John Kier Abdon and Callaway Junior World titlist Kristoffer Arevalo laying three shots farther back at 143.

Abdon, who humbled Zaragosa for the national match title two years ago, made a 71, while Arevalo, the reigning 15-17 Junior World champ, turned in a 70.

The top 16 men and the top eight women will advance to the Philippine Amateur Match Play of the National Golf Association of the Philippines which the MVP Sports Foundation will present Monday, also at Cangolf.

Gabriel Manotoc matched par 72 in the first round but fumbled with a 74 for a 146 to tie Cebu’s Gen Nagai, who shot a 71.

Daniella Uy, meanwhile, came through with a four-under 68, also at the South course, to open a four-stroke lead over new ICTSI team member Bernice Olivares-Ilas, who made a 72, in ladies play.

Harmie Constantino carded a 74 for third while Riviera’s Seo Yon-kwon limped with a 75 and Samantha Martinez and Samantha Green turning in 77 and 78, respectively.