Philippine Sports News and Updates

Defending champion Angelo Que made his bold move earlier than usual as he pounded on every birdie opportunity to card a six-under-par 66 on a rainy Thursday to hold a one-stroke lead after two rounds of the ICTSI Mt. Malarayat Championship at the Mt. Malarayat Golf and Country Club in Lipa City, Batangas.

Local bet Que was superb in the second day when he recorded eight birdies and only two bogeys to go to 10-under 134. First day leader Richard Sinfuego turned in a decent three-under 69 for 135 in the $50,000 event which is the third leg of the Mercedes-Benz Tour.

Despite the sizzling score, Que said: “Putting saved me today because my long-range shots were not as crisp as I wanted them to be. I need a good solid short game in the third round."

Sinfuego, playing out of Canlubang, had six birdies despite missing nine fairway drives. He was just happy as he submitted an under-par card and kept his title hopes very alive.

“My drives were so poor. It was my irons that kept me going," the 37-year-old Sinfuego said.

Asian Tour journeyman Jerome Delariarte also had a monster but quiet game of four-under 68. He was well on his way to a six-under round but a bogey blunder on No. 18, the waterloo so far by players, set him back to 137.

“It was disappointing. I would have been just one off from Sinfuego," said Delariarte.

Asian Tour regulars Artemio Murakami 69-140 and Mars Pucay 71-140 made it safely past the cut. Among the biggest casualties were former Philippine Open champion Robert Pactolerin and Juvic Pagunsan.