Sinfuego opens with 66, grabs Mt. Malarayat golf

MANILA, Philippines — Richard Sinfuego had never tasted the first round lead in a very long time. But on Wednesday was a nostalgic day for the journeyman pro. Sinfuego sizzled with a six-under-par 66 to grab the first round lead in the ICTSI Mount Malarayat Championship, which serves as the third leg of the fledging Mercedes-Benz Tour, in Lipa City, Batangas. He gunned down seven birdies overall and had only a black mark of a bogey on the par-five No. 14. Otherwise, it was all Sinfuego during the first day of competition in the $50,000 Mercedes-Benz and ICTSI-sponsored event. “My hard work is finally paying off. Hopefully, this could be the start of bigger things to come," said a visibly happy Sinfuego. Not too far behind was Thailand’s Ronnachai Jamnong, who went toe-to-toe with Sinfuego only to lose steam for the day. He made six birdies after the 16th and would have gotten a share of the lead if not for his bogey on No. 18 to end with a five-under 67. Defending champion Angelo Que almost matched Jamnong’s score but he also succumbed to a bogey on the final hole to be at four-under 68, the same output turned in by former winner Wisut Arjanawat of Thailand. “This is how I won the Malarayat last year. My plan is to hover within the top five and charge in the last two days," Que said. Several players submitted a three-under 69 for a share of fifth place including Valley Golf Classic champ Jerome Delariarte, Asian Tour regular Mars Pucay, veteran Antolin Fernando, Ronnie Torrecampo and Thais Pravee Visalkit, Passamet Pogamnerd, Pariya Junhasavasdikul. Rookie pro Ferdinand Aunzo (70) led the pack at 12th spot with Malaysian Khor Kheng-Hwai and Thais Atthaphon Prathummanee and Pornpong Phatlum. B-Ing Championship titlist Felix Casas’ 71 were leveled by Artemio Murakami, Ebarra Quiachon, Rey Pagunsan, Mike Bibat, Raymund Sangil plus Thais Namchok Tantipokakul and Tanatchan Puaktes. – GMANews.TV