Lascuna in good position for runner up finish at SAIL Open

MANILA, Philippines — Never mind the championship title because it is virtually in pocket for Chapchai Nirat of Thailand. What to look out for now at the SAIL Open is the battle for the runner-up honor. The Philippines’ Antonio Lascuna has a very good chance at ending up as the second best after he shot another five-under-par 67 and 199 was two down from current second placer Indian Gaganjeet Bhullar who made a 66 for 197 as the $300,000 Asian Tour tournament winds up Sunday. “It will boil down to who takes care of business in the last 18 holes. I would certainly go for that (second)," a pumped up Lascuna said Saturday. If he could match up well with Bhullar, Lascuna could be on his way to his best finish so far in the Asian Tour season. Nirat, meanwhile, continued his breathtaking run of form with a seven-under-par 65 to take a massive eight strokes lead on 27-under-par 189 total at the Classic Golf Resort. The play of the day once again belonged to Thai standout Nirat, who has now established a new 54-hole scoring record and is three strokes away from setting a new 72-hole record on the Asian Tour. The Asian Tour record for the lowest winning total was 29-under-par set by Ernie Els at the 2003 Johnnie Walker Classic in Perth. Nirat got off to a steady start with seven straight pars followed by a bogey on 11th. However, his game quickly came to life starting with a birdie on 12th. – GMANews.TV