PRESS RELEASE OCTOBER 19, 2007
Sumcad, Pucay snatch joint lead at Mount Malarayat
Lipa City, Philippines – Mars Pucay of the Philippines shot a three-under-par 69 to grab a share of the lead with countryman Orlan Sumcad heading into the final round of the Active Mt Malarayat Championship on Friday.
The duo have a one shot advantage over a couple of local amateur players in the US$30,000 ASEAN Golf Tour event while halfway leader Artemio Murakami, also of the Philippines, battled flu symptoms on his way to a disappointing 74 for a share of fifth spot with Rey Pagunsan.
The 36-year-old Pucay had five birdies and two three-putt bogeys while Sumcad scorched the front nine in four under before cooling down on the inward half to card 71. A birdie on the 17th sealed his place in the final flight on Saturday.
Sumcad, who is looking for his first title, rued his poor back nine after snatching the lead with an eagle three on the ninth hole. He three-putted the 10th hole and then double bogeyed the 221-yard par-3 15th after missing the green and three-putting.
"That was a lost chance," said Sumcad. "But I still have a good chance at winning and it is important that I get off to a good start."
Amateurs Jay Bayron and Ferdinand Aunzo are the unlikely duo in joint third spot after shooting 68 and 69 respectively to hone in on a history-making victory in the second event on the fledgling ASEAN Golf Tour.
Murakami, winner of the Johor Open on the Asian Tour in August, struggled all day with the flu and his 74 saw him finish equal with Pagunsan on 214, two shots off the lead.
"I just felt weak all the way round and I am aching all over," said Murakami.
Joenard Rates shot a 69 for a total of 215 and is three shots adrift. Ibarra Quiachon, Namchok Tantipokhakul of Thailand and Asian Tour veteran Jherome Delariarte fired 69, 73 and 70 respectively and are tied on 217.
Leading third round scores (Philippines unless stated):
212 – O. Sumcad 70-71-71, M. Pucay 71-72-69
213 – J. Bayron (A) 73-72-68, F. Aunzo (A) 71-73-69,
214 – R. Pagunsan 75-69-70, A. Murakami 71-69-74;
215 – J. Rates 73-73-69
217 – I. Quiachon 74-74-69, J. Delariarte 71-76-70, N. Tantipokhakul (Tha) 73-71-73
218 – R. Sangil (A) 72-75-71, R. Jamnong (Tha) 70-75-73, M. Sasidaran (Mal) 73-72-73, A. Lascuna 72-72-74, R. Bisera 74-69-75, N. Vichittryuthasastr (Tha) 68-74-76
219 – P. Minoza 77-73-69, R. Sinfuego 71-77-71, A. Que 72-76-71, M. Bibat (A) 75-72-72.
“THE ASEAN HORIZON LINKED BY PEOPLE OF DIVERSE RACE AND CULTURE,
