Singapore's Foo surges past foes in Philippine Amateur Open

CANLUBANG—Singapore's Gregory Foo firmed up his title bid as he surged past former co-leader Jobim Carlos and rival Clyde Mondilla and built a comfortable lead after the third round of the 2012 Philippine Amateur Open Golf Championship held at the Canlubang Golf and Country Club in Laguna. Foo scored a three-under-par 69, the second time this week that he's had that output. With his 69 and 70 two days earlier, he was on top of the race with 208 haul in 54 holes thus far. That translated into a six-stroke advantage over Carlos and Mondilla. The Singaporean was steady as ever, firing four birdies as against a lone bogey in the usually demanding par-72 North course, made even tougher with the strong winds the past three days. On Saturday, he drained two birdies, two in each nine, to produce the day's best result. The only black eye in his superb round was his bogey on the 12th hole. He began with a bad drive then followed up with a missed green try on the next. He two-putted and holed out with a dropped shot in the event organized by the National Golf Association of the Philippines (NGAP). Even with the rather insurmountable lead, the 18-year-old Foo knows that the competition is far from over. He's wary of a big comeback by Carlos or a late charge by Mondilla. "They are dangerous foes. Definitely, nothing's over yet. I have to play well, beat the winds and stay focused," said Foo, who is on his last tournament before he goes into the two-year national service—a requirement of the Singapore government for all males. It was a sorry round for Carlos, whose putting deserted him for much of the penultimate round. He missed on several birdie tries and muffed three par-saves. He wound up with a three-over-par 75 for 214, good for current second place in the company of former national amateur champ Mondilla.   "Nothing worked for me today, from tee to green. I have to fight back with much birdies as possible in the first nine holes on Sunday to stay in contention. I believe I can make a big turnaround. My dad (Bill) told me never to give up," said Carlos, who limped with bogeys on Nos. 2, 11 and 15. Miko Alejandro, the US-based player and a former national team mainstay, carded a one-under-par 71 and moved up to solo fourth spot with 216. Korean Choi Jae-seung churned out a 74 for 217. A shot back on 218 were Raymund Gonzales (70) and Singapore's Jerome Ng (73). Sarah Jane Ababa and Lovelyn Guioguio brace for a thrilling finish in the 54-hole women's competition, which took a break on Saturday. Ababa is in pole position with a 147, one up off Guioguio's 148. Still in contention for the crown is Dottie Ardina, who tallied a 151. Trailing by three before the second round, Ababa poured in an even par 72 despite a closing birdie on the last hole on Friday and wrested the lead from Guioguio, who limped with four-over 76 in the tournament. "It's not a safe lead with Guioguio and Ardina around. I need an under-par score to win," said Ababa.   Also seeking the title and lurking behind at 153 each were Jayvie Agojo and petite Princess Superal. Andrea Unson, the defending champion, and Sunshine Baraquiel were locked in at 155s. Singapore's Viviene Chin was the best placed foreigner at 159. — JVP, GMA News