Bayron clings to 1-shot lead over O’Toole
CARMONA, Cavite – Jay Bayron shot one birdie at completion of his blistering, lead-grabbing first round 10-under 62 early yesterday then added a 67 but barely hung on to the lead as John Michael O’Toole sizzled at the finish in darkness halfway through the $100,000 ICTSI Manila Southwoods Golf Championship at the Legends course here yesterday.
O’Toole came out of another weather delay in top form, birdying three of the first six holes in a late start but fumbled with a double-bogey on the par-3 16th to round out his backside bid at 35. He hit one more birdie in the first six holes at the front then opted to finish his round in gathering dusk and closed out with three straight birdies, matching Bayron’s second round five-under card.
With a 15-under 129 aggregate, Bayron kept a one-stroke lead over the American, who pooled a 130, while Aussie Tim Stewart shot a 64 for a 133.
Zanieboy Gialon and Finland’s Teemu Putkonen put in a pair of 135s, six strokes off Bayron, after a 68 and 69, respectively, while Mars Pucay sizzled with a 66 and Albin Engino fired a second 68 for 136s.
Angelo Que shot a 68 to tie Robert Pactolerin, who slowed down with a 72 after an impressive 65, at 137, the same output put in by Michael Bibat, who fired a 68. Jobim Carlos, Englishman Grant Jackson and Guido Van der Valk of the Netherlands all going seven-under with three holes left to play.