Murakami takes lead in Omega Cup

ARTEMIO Murakami played steady despite the searing heat yesterday and carded a four-under par 68 to take a one-stroke lead over Gerald Rosales and Ruben Sasutil in the first round of the P660,000 Omega Cup Philippines 2007 at Wack Wack’s east course yesterday.

Murakami, reliving his romance with the fabled layout where he beat Angelo Que to become the youngest national champion at 15 in 1999, sank eight birdies that more than made up for his double bogey and two bogeys in a day of floundering fortunes at the tight par-72 course.

"I hit it well today. Except for my double bogey on No. 10 and bogeys on Nos. 14 and 16, it was a pretty good round," said Murakami, who played in a flight that included actor/singer Ariel Rivera and VIPs Orven Rivera and Manuel Torres.

"I’ll just play my game tomorrow (today) and hopefully win it," added Murakami.

Earlier, Oliver Hugentobler, regional sales manager for Omega; Ivan Yao, president of Swiss Prestige Holdings, Inc. the local agent for Omega; actor-sportsman Richard Gomez, Wack Wack president Luis Tan and Pucay hit the ceremonial drives to usher in the two-day tournament that also features a best-ball competition among teams composed of a pro, a celebrity and two VIPs.

Also on tap in the event, organized by Len Plus, Inc. headed by Marilen Nuñez, are the individual competition in Classes A, B, C and D and the celebrity division.

Rosales, who rallied with a 65 in the final round to finish second behind Frankie Minoza in the Philippine Open at the same course last month, shot a three-under 69 for a share of second with Ruben Sasutil while veteran Rey Alit upstaged the youthful campaigners with a 71.

Juvic Pagunsan, who joined the hunt for the top P120,000 purse, failed to shrug off a three-week layoff and faltered with a six-over par 78 in a tie with defending champion Mars Pucay.