Golf: Santos-Ocampo, Pucay lead first round of ICTSI Orchard

A good scoring day under a searing summer heat with Carl Santos-Ocampo and Mars Pucay each firing a four-under-par 68 marked the first round of the P2.5milion ICTSI Orchard Championship at the Orchard Golf and Country Club in Dasmariñas, Cavite.  

Santos-Ocampo roared off to a great start, making three birdies in the first six holes at Orchard Golf Club’s Palmer course. He added another birdie on No. 16 for that four-under card that tied him with Pucay in the seventh leg of the Philippine Golf Tour.  

“I hit the ball solid from tees to greens. It was a stress-free day as well because I did not make any bogey,” said Santos-Ocampo, who is seeking to improve on his 24th place finish in the PGT Calatagan leg two weeks ago.  

After his not-so good performance in the Calatagan competition won by Tony Lascuna, Santos-Ocampo put on extra work on sharpening his game, including some fitness training and yoga with his swing coach.  

“That helped me a lot. The improvement showed its effects today,” he said.

Pucay also turned in a 68, thanks to birdies on Nos. 2, 9, 13 and 16. The first one had his 25-foot putt for birdie dropping perfectly. He would have taken the lead if not for about four missed birdie chances.  

“Overall, my game was okay. There were some near misses for birdies but I still believe I made a good run,” Pucay said.  

Angelo Que, Jay Bayron, Mhark Fernando, Chris delos Santos, Richard Sinfuego and Japanese Tomokazu Yoshinaga all tallied 69s.  

Juvic Pagunsan struggled to a two-over-par 74. Though he looked sharp in the morning, he was sluggish before his round ended. His round included a 3-putt bogey on the 16th. - RAF, GMA News