Sumampong shares Faldo golf meet lead

Shenzhen, China — The long hours of hard practice and the enthusiasm to learn the game more are finally paying off for Brent Sumampong, who shot his way to a two-under-par 70 and a share of the overall lead with two others at the Nick Faldo Series Asia Grand Final at the Mission Hills Golf and Country Club. Sumampong, one of the budding stars in the ICTSI golf camp, played his first hole at Mission Hills’ Faldo course with an opening birdie then another on the 11th plus back-to-back on Nos. 17 and 18 to erase the lone bogey he recorded at Nos. 6 and 15 for a 36-34 card. Gavin Kayle Green of Malaysia and Hsieh Chi-hsien of Chinese Taipei also scored a 70 to join Sumampong at the top. Thai lady golfer Thidapa Suwannapura and Indian S. Chikkarangappa were tied at fourth with 72 apiece. “It is an unbelievable feeling to be the front runner. I’ve never had much fun such as this," said an obviously overwhelmed Sumampong. ICTSI coach Bong Lopez initially took Sumampong in the team three years ago primarily because of his height. Now armed with a strong body at 6-foot-2, the 19-year-old Manileño is developing into one of the stars of the future. “What I like about him is that he puts his heart to the game, even on practices. He is getting to that habit what top-caliber players do," Lopez said of Sumampong, who made his mark in the first Faldo Series Philippine Championship last year. Bino dela Paz was the next best RP scorer at 32nd place. But unlike Sumampong, he struggled with an eight-over-par 80 built around nines of 40-40. Dela Paz, winner of the 16-and-under boys’ division of the inaugural Faldo Series in RP, went to three-over early on with a bogey on the third and a double bogey on the fourth. He had the same number at the back nine to finish with that 80. Irina Gabasa, the country’s lone lady campaigner, shot a 10-over 82 (41-41) while the fancied Jobim Carlos turned in a very disappointing 15-over 87 (41-46) to practically bow out of contention in the 54-hole event organized by golf great Nick Faldo. – Adrian Flores, GMANews.TV