Golf: Lascuna, Santos-Ocampo share lead at ICTSI Orchard Championship

Antonio Lascuna produced a day-best six-under-par 66 for a share of the lead with Carl Santos-Ocampo, midway through the P2.5-million ICTSI Orchard Championship held at the Orchard Golf and Country Club in Dasmarinas, Cavite.

Lascuna, winner of the last Philippine Golf Tour leg in Calatagan, drained seven birdies against a lone bogey for a two-day haul of 136 counting his opening round 70 on Wednesday.

Santos-Ocampo scored a consecutive 68 to match Lascuna’s output in the chase for the P450,000 champion’s prize.

He birdied the first hole from two feet then almost made an eagle on the fourth. The 42-year-old Davaoena then holed three birdies in succession from the seventh to ninth to go 5-under.

Sensing that he could do more, he overshot the green on the 10th and missed a par-save putt from about four feet for his only bogey of the day. He then hit two more birdies for that 66.

He could have scored better if not for birdie misses on the second hole from three feet and 12th from the same distance.

“I have been hitting good drives lately.  A nice drive will reward a player with a birdie chance and that’s what happened today,” said Lascuna, who is slowly getting back his rhythm after suffering a back injury early this year.

To fully restore his strength, chiropractor Dr. Ben Adorable has given him a stretching exercise regimen that aim to loosen up his back more for a better follow through.

“If not for Dr. Adorable, I would have quit golf eight seasons ago.  I would also like to thank Mike Bibat for introducing me to him,” he also said.

After the Orchard leg, Lascuna is planning to rest in Manila for a week to prepare for The Duel slated at the Alabang Country Club in early June.

Bibat gained a share of the lead with two birdies on Nos. 12 and 13 but three-putted for bogey on the 14th.  He dropped two more shots on the 17th before a closing birdie salvaged him a 67 for 138.

Angelo Que stayed in the title hunt despite poor putting as he shot a 70 for a 139.

“My putting was off today but I’m still happy to be up there, just three off the pace,” said Que, who missed a couple of birdie putts from close range. - CLP, GMA News