Obscure pro shows way as darkness halts play

CARMONA, Cavite – Obscure Nilo Salahog made his move as the erstwhile frontrunners slowed down in rainy condition, rattling off eight birdies against two bogeys for a 66 and a one-stroke clubhouse lead over Orlan Sumcad midway through the ICTSI Manila Southwoods Championship at the Legends course here.

Lexus Keoninh, who shot a 63 in the first round, actually pooled a 15-under overall with a six-under card yesterday but the American still had three holes left when play was stopped due to darkness with 19 flights to complete play early today.

That also left Salahog and Sumcad at 1-2 posts with complete 36-hole totals of 130 and 131, respectively.

Macedonian Peter Stojanovski, who made a late rally to tie Tony Lascuña record-equaling 62 Wednesday, slowed down despite an early start, settling for a 70 for provisional fourth at 132 while Paul Harris, also of the US, shot a 67 for fifth at 133.

After a sizzling first round feat, Nilo Salahog Lascuña’s putter turned cold in another rain-hit day, flubbing at least six birdie chances inside six feet and remained at 10-under overall with seven holes to play in a tie with Mhark Fernando, who had a six-under card with three holes to play, and American Nicolas Paez, who was at four-under after nine holes.

Miguel Tabuena stood at nine-under overall with a four-under card after nine holes in a tie with Jobim Carlos, with a two-under after 12 holes, Zanieboy Gialon, with a three-under after nine holes, and amateur Ryan Monsalve, with a three-under with seven holes left.

Keoninh kept his irons and putting blazing coming off another two-hour weather delay, ramming in birdies in bunches on both nines – first a four-straight feat from No. 3 then another three-string effort from No. 13 – against a lone bogey on No. 9 for a 66. He completes the last three holes early morning today, looking for another birdie on the par-5 17th and a possible twoshot cushion.

Though he only aimed at making the cut at the most in this $60,000 event, Salahog hardly expressed surprise when he found himself on top of the heap with a stirring 14-under total, easily the best 36-hole output in a winless five-year pro career.