Brunei bet paces NGAP regional

MANILA, Philippines — AK MD Syakir of Brunei birdied the last hole to save a 72 then watched Jonar Austria hobble with a bogey for a two-shot swing and the lead after 36 holes of the NGAP Northern Luzon Regional Golf Championship at Luisita Golf and Country Club in Tarlac yesterday.

Syakir matched Austria’s opening 36 and bucked a double-bogey mishap on No. 10 with birdies on Nos. 14 and 16 then rebounded from another bogey on the 17th with that closing birdie that netted him a two-stroke cushion with a 145 heading to the final 18 holes of the annual event organized and conducted by the National Golf Association of the Philippines.

Austria, who wrested control in the early going also with a 72, kept the lead wth a par on the 10th but bogeyed two of the next five holes and finished with a bogey for a 75 and 147.

Defending champion Sean Ramos birdied the tough No. 17 but his pair of 38s and a 76 put him four shots behind at 149 while Dan Cruz also hobbled with a 76 for solo fourth at 151.

Jacob Rolida and Paolo Barro also struggled with a pair of 80s and remained tied at 154.

Sophia Blanco surged ahead in women’s Elite of the 54-hole event sponsored by the MVP Sports Foundation, Cignal and Metro Pacific Investments and part of PLDT Group National Amateur Tour with a 74 for a three-shot lead at 148 over erstwhile leader Laurea Duque (78-151).

Rianne Malixi shot the day’s best score of 73 and moved to third at 152 while last year’s winner Kim Seo Yun of Korea stayed in the hunt with a 153 despite a 76.