Rookie pro Aunzo grabs lead in rain-hit Royal Northwoods Classic

Rookie pro Ferdie Aunzo moved on the threshold of an inaugural win after posting a five-under-par 67 to post a two-shot edge over first day leader Richard Sinfuego in the ICTSI Royal Northwoods Classic at the Royal Northwoods Golf and Country Club in San Rafael, Bulacan. Aunzo, who brings with a storied amateur career, fired six easy birdies to compensate for the bogey he made on the par-three seventh hole. He ended with a 33-34 score via winter rules which were enforced because of intermittent rains. Counting his earlier 68, Aunzo pooled a two-day aggregate of 135 and moved from joint third to the solo lead heading into the last 18 holes of the P1 million tournament. Sinfuego, near flawless with an opening 66, could only churn out a lone-birdie effort under overcast skies for a bogey-free 71 card as the current Order of Merit leader dropped to joint second with Benjie Magada at 137. Magada, the veteran campaigner who placed second to Elmer Salvador in the ICTSI-Sherwood Hills Classic leg, birdied three of the last six holes to likewise fire a 68 and remain in the hunt for the top P200,000 purse. But a host of others also stood just a stroke or two behind, ensuring a wide open battle in the final round of the tournament serving as the seventh leg of the 10-stage circuit. Jerome Delariarte, who was humbled by amateur Rufino Bayron in a sudden death for the ICTSI-Valley leg title late last year, turned in a bogey-free 68 to join Salvador in fourth. Korean Kim Chang Hoi, who stunned the field with a 67 in the first round, settled for a 71 while unfancied Eric Gozo shot a 70 to likewise assemble 138s. Danny Zarate, winner of the kickoff ICTSI-Mt. Malarayat leg, shot a 69 to tie Cassius Casas in sixth at 139. Another shot farther back at 140 are Rey Pagunsan, Joenard Rates and Michael Bibat, who made 69, 71 and 72, respectively. Marvin Dumandan, who ruled the rain-hit ICTSI-Eagle Ridge leg of the series, matched par 72 and was at 142 in the company of Ramil Bisera (71) and Carito Villaroman (73). Former Hong Kong Amateur Open winner Dante Becierra fired a 70 to emerge the top amateur with a 143 for a share of 25th while Zanie Boy Gialon was the only other amateur to advance to the final round with a 145 after a 73. – Adrian Flores, GMANews.TV