Nilo Salahog hits an approach shot on No. 10

CARMONA, Cavite – Obscure Nilo Salahog took charge as the erstwhile frontrunners slowed down in rainy condition, rattling off eight birdies against two bogeys for a 66 and a one-stroke clubhouse lead over Orlan Sumcad midway through the ICTSI Manila Southwoods Championship at the Legends course here.

Lexus Keoninh, who shot a 63 in the first round, actually pooled a 15-under overall with a six-under card yesterday but the American still had three holes left when play was stopped due to darkness with 19 flights to complete play early today.

That also left Salahog and Sumcad at 1-2 posts with complete 36-hole totals of 130 and 131, respectively.

Macedoninan Peter Stojanovski, who made a late rally to tie Tony Lascuña record-equaling 62 Wednesday, slowed down despite an early tee-start, settling for a 70 for provisional fourth at 132 while Paul Harris, also of the US, shot a 67 for fifth at 133.

After a birdie-riddled course-tying 62 in the first round, Peter Stojanovski of Macedonia found the Legends’ surface tougher, setting for four birdies against a double bogey for a 70.

After a sizzling first round feat, Lascuña’s putter turned cold in another rain-hit day, flubbing at least six birdie chances inside six feet and remained at 10-under overall with seven holes to play in a tie with Mhark Fernando, who had a six-under card with three holes to play, and American Nicolas Paez, who was at four-under after nine holes.

Miguel Tabuena stood at nine-under overall with a four-under card after nine holes in a tie with Jobim Carlos, with a two-under after 12 holes, Zanieboy Gialon, with a three-under after nine holes, and amateur Ryan Monsalve, with a three-under with seven holes left.

Keoninh kept his irons and putting blazing coming off another two-hour weather delay, ramming in birdies in bunches on both nines – first a four -straight feat from No. 3 then another three-string effort from No. 13 – against a lone bogey on No. 9 for a 66. He completes the last three holes early morning today, looking for another birdie on the par-5 17th and a possible two-shot cushion.

Though he only aimed at making the cut at the most in this $60,000 event, Salahog hardly expressed surprise when he found himself on top of the heap with a stirring 14-under total, easily the best 36-hole output in a winless five-year pro career.

Nilo Salahog keeps an eye on his putt on No. 10

“Foremost in my mind is to really make the cut,” said Salahog, who tied for 36th in last week’s ICTSI Orchard Championship. “But I’m playing great golf over 36 holes. It was fun golf with those scores.”

He, however, stressed that he does take this tournament seriously, only he’s so delighted sinking birdie putts from close or long range.

“I’m constantly working on my short game, especially putting. Now, I am earning the fruits of my labor,” said Salahog, who bucked tough pin placements at the front that saw him birdie Nos. 1, 3 and 6 to negate a missed green bogey on the fourth then capped his 33 start with a chip-in birdie from 10 yards to grab the clubhouse lead.

For the second straight day, play was suspended for two hours due to lightning but Stojanovski groped for form on the greens early, finishing with a two-under 70.

That also enabled Sumcad to wrest second spot at 131 after the power-hitting but also winless pro sizzled with seven birdies in the last 14 holes to fire a 65 and move within one heading to the last 36 holes of the fifth leg of this year’s ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour sponsored by ICTSI and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

Meanwhile, Harris followed up his 66 with a 67 to stay three shots off Salahog at 133 while Filipino Charles Hong shot a 69 for a 137 and unheralded Nelson Huerva fought back with a 68 for a 138 in the event backed by ICTSI, BDO, KZG, Custom Clubmakers, Meralco, Sharp, Champion, Summit Mineral Water and PLDT.