Aunzo takes opening-round lead in ICTSI golf

FERDIE Aunzo almost had his prolific round shattered with a double-bogey on the 16th hole but still posted a three-under 69, good for a one-stroke lead over Elmer Salvador and Joenard Rates at the start of the ICTSI Wack Wack Championship at the Wack Wack East Course yesterday in San Juan.

Aunzo, seeking to a end a long title drought that started after he won the kickoff leg of the 2009 ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour, looked headed for a fiery round with six birdies in an eight-hole stretch linking both nines until he mishit a 4-iron on the windy 220-yard par-3 16th into a hazard. He took a drop and two-putted for 5.

Still, his 69 proved to be the best on a day that saw the big guns groped for form resulting in just five under-par cards and three even pars.

Salvador, who posted the tour’s biggest winning margin of 12 at ICTSI Sherwood Hills Classic last Sept., made back-to-back birdies from No. 5 on his way to a 70 and tie Rates, who birdied the last two at the back. Tony Lascuna, another talented pro on a long title drought, carded a 71 for joint fourth with Arnold Villacencio.

Aunzo’s shaky finish enabled the rest to close in, including Frankie Minoza who bucked a double-bogey mishap on No. 2 with four birdies against two bogeys for a 72.

The 54-hole tournament organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., awards P450,000 to the winner.  /Correspondent Jonas Panerio