2019 ICTSI South Pacific Classic: Strong finishes net Bisera, Keoninh lead share
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Ramil Bisera celebrates after churning out a best-career card
Bisera, one of the few unheralded players from talent-rich Davao who made just three cuts in seven tournaments in this year’s Philippine Golf Tour, put on his best card in years – a bogey-free 34-34 marked by two birdies in the last three holes on each nine that stood as one of the course records, this being the first pro tournament at the newly-built 7018-yard championship layout developed by Sta. Lucia Development, Inc.
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Ramil Bisera also comes through with superb wedge shots to put in a flawless 68
“Everything actually clicked – off the tee, iron play and putting. I just hope to sustain my game and finally score a victory,” said the 45-year-old Bisera, backed by long-time patron Hermie Martin.
Keoninh, whose form took a dip with missed cut stints at the PGT Pueblo de Oro and Del Monte legs and a 28th place finish in Apo the last four weeks, birdied the last three holes at the back to share first day honors in the P3 million event capping the milestone 10th season of the circuit sponsored by ICTSI.
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Lexus Keoninh hopes to sustain his big start for a crack at a maiden crown
The 28-year-old shotmaker, who grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, nearly eagled the par-5 No. 2 off a superb 7-iron shot that rolled but stopped inches off the cup. He earlier gunned down three birdies, including one on No. 4 from 15 feet, that negated his missed green bogeys on Nos. 6 and 13 in a big start that could hint at a coming of an explosive week for the amiable shotmaker seeking a breakthrough in the circuit.
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Lexus Keoninh is all focused on putting his title drive in motion
“The greens are misleading. You have to be very patient because you’ll find yourself in trouble if you don’t,” said Alido.
Dino Villanueva and Michael Bibat carded identical 70s for joint fourth while 12 players shot 71s, including Cebu leg winner Guido Van der Valk of The Netherlands, Rupert Zaragoza, Fidel Concepcion of Australia, Richard Sinfuego, Fil-German Keanu Jahns, Anthony Fernando, Jay-R Salahog, Paul Echavez, pro-am winner Ferdie Aunzo, Rufino Bayron, Del Monte leg titlist Jhonnel Ababa, and reigning Philippine Open champion Clyde Mondilla.
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Ira Alido is at it again, staying in the early mix with a 69
Other even par scorers were Nilo Salahog, Zanieboy Gialon and Enrico Gallardo.
Jobim Carlos bounced back strong from a bogey start with an eagle on No. 2 and a birdie on the fifth. But the reigning PGT Order of Merit titlist lost his rhythm and touch at the back, bogeying five of the first seven holes and needing to birdie the 18th to save a 74, the same output put in by Jay Bayron and Fil-Am Sean Talmadge.
Korean-American Micah Shin, winner of The Country Club Invitational last year and holder of a couple of big pro titles, and American Tarik Can, who ruled the Aboitiz Invitaitonal of the PGT Asia at Wack Wack last month, fumbled with a 76 and 79, respectively, and in danger of missing the 40-plus ties cut in the event backed by Custom Clubmakers, Meralco, Champion, Summit Mineral Water, K&G Golf Apparel, BDO, Sharp, KZG, PLDT and M.Y. Shokai Technology.