Golf: PHL bet Pucay makes Avantha Masters cut

The Philippines' Mars Pucay birdied two of the last four holes to finish with a two-under-par 70 and catch the last bus to the weekend rounds of the $2.4-million Avantha Masters at the DLF Golf and Country Club in New Delhi, India. Scotland's Peter Whiteford, who shared the opening round lead with Spain's Alejandro Canizares, remained on top of the standings with a 68 for 134. Thailand's Prom Meesawat was on second place with 64 for 136. Pucay, part of a strong cast of local finishers in last week's ICTSI Philippine Open, was mired at even par in 13 holes but birdies on 13th and 18th put him to a 36-haul of 144, the cut off score line in the tournament tri-sanctioned by the Asian Tour, European Tour and PGTI. "It was very cold in the morning. Temperatures dropped to 11 degrees Celcius according to organizers and that made it harder to play the course," said Pucay in a text message to GMA News Online Compatriot Angelo Que, however, was not as lucky. He shot an even par 72 but failed to make it through by a mere stroke on 145. Among the biggest casualties were Japan's Tetsuji Hiratsuka and Thailand's Thaworn Wiratchant, both in the top five of last year's Order of Merit. Another Thai, Chapchai Nirat, made a closing eagle-three that gave him a share of third place with compatriot Kiradech Aphibarnrat, France's Jean-Baptiste Gonnet and Australia's Kieran Pratt on 137s. — Adrian Flores/JVP, GMA News