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Murakami fires record 62, leads by 5
Written by staff   
Friday, 23 January 2009 03:18

Former national champion Artemio Murakami scored a course-record eight-under 62 to post a whopping five-stroke lead over reigning Philippine Open champion Angelo Que at the start of the P4.6-million The Country Club (TCC) in Sta. Rosa City, Laguna Thursday.

Murakami virtually turned the par-70 TCC into a playground with the absence of wind at this time of the year, gunning down nine birdies against a bogey for a stirring 30-32 card.Former national champion Artemio Murakami scored a course-record eight-under 62 to post a whopping five-stroke lead over reigning Philippine Open champion Angelo Que at the start of the P4.6-million The Country Club (TCC) championship in Sta. Rosa City, Laguna Thursday.

Murakami virtually turned the par-70 TCC into a playground with the absence of wind at this time of the year, gunning down nine birdies against a bogey for a stirring 30-32 card.

That gave the 25-year-old Murakami a five-shot lead over Que who needed an eagle and a birdie in the last five holes to break out of a rollercoaster start and into second place with a 67.

Rey Pagunsan also rallied with four birdies in the last seven holes to turn in a two-under 68 in a tie with Jay Bayron and amateur Rufino Bayron.

The four-day TCC championship, held in honor of ICTSI founder Enrique "Don Pocholo" Razon, Sr., stakes P1.35 million to the winner.

Five players churned out identical one-under 69s, led including defending champion Juvic Pagunsan, Elmer Salvador, Marlon Dizon, Mars Pucay and another amateur standout from the ICTSI golf stable Antonio Asistio.

Frankie Miñoza also groped for form from a long layoff and needed to come up with a couple of scrambling pars to card a two-over par 72 to fall into a tie for 21st in a field of 48 that included 12 amateurs.

The day, however, belonged to Murakami, who strung up two three-birdie strings from No. 6 and No. 11 that highlighted his remarkable round that left his rivals in fear of another blowout the way Pagunsan did last year.

“I’m happy to shoot this low, my first time to break a course record,” said Murakami after a superb round marred by flubbed three-foot par putt on No. 15.

Unlike like was year when he amazed the field with an awesome opener, Pagunsan turned in a mediocre 34-35 card this time, ruing his day-long bout with his balky putter.

“I could’ve shot better but I had three or four missed birdie putts inside four feet. It was really a struggle on the putting surface,” said Pagunsan, who headed straight to the practice green to polish his stroke.

Scores after 18 holes
62 – Murakami, A. (30-32)
67 – Que, A. (35-32)
68 – Pagunsan, R. (37-31), Bayron, J. (33-35), Bayron, R. (AM) (33-35)
69 – Pagunsan, J. (34-35), Pucay, M. (34-35), Dizon, M. (35-34), Salvador, E. (36-33), Asistio, A. (AM) (36-33)
70 – Zarate, D. (35-35), Magada, B. (35-35), Aunzo, F. (AM) (35-35)
 
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