RUFINO Bayron rode on an explosive front nine stint to fire
a three-under par 69 and post a one-stroke lead over reigning national champion
Anthony Fernando and Jessie Balasabas yesterday in Round 1 of the DHL-WWExpress
National Amateur Golf Championships at Cangolf’s north course in Laguna.
After a slew of pars, Bayron knocked down a birdie on the
difficult par-3 No. 6 then racked up three more to make the turn with a
sizzling 32. He, however, slowed down at the back, dropping a bogey on No. 15
without a birdie to show.
Still, that was enough to lift the Davao native to the top,
showing up fellow ICTSI teammate Fernando and Calatagan bet Balasabas who
carded identical 70s under tough playing conditions.
Fernando parred the first nine holes but tamed the two
par-5s at the back with birdies for rounds of 36-34 while Balasabas dropped a
stroke on the 18th to fall into a tie for second with a 35-35 card.
Earlier, DHL top honcho Rod Feliciano and Cangolf executive
director Luigi Yulo hit the ceremonial drives to kick off the four-day
championship sponsored by DHL and WWWExpress.
Mark Fernando rallied at the back with four birdies, coming
from out of nowhere to tie for fourth with a one-under 71, the same output of
Paul Echavez (37-34), Mario Labajo(37-34), Malaysian Muhammad AI Fauzi (37-34)
and Tonton Asistio (38-33).
Malaysian top gun Nicholas Fung never recovered from a shaky start of two
bogeys and a double bogey and finished the round in joint 14th with a
three-over 75.
