BACOLOD City – A dose of pain relievers kept Rupert Zaragosa going as he navigated through the tough conditions at the resumption of the weather-suspended second round and extender his lead at the ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic on Thursday.
With winds swirling, Zaragosa managed to go one-under over the remaining six holes, concluding the second round with a 66 and six-under total of 134 at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club course.
What began as a P2.5 million, 72-hole championship has now been reduced to 54 holes due to the relentless downpour of Typhoon Kristine, with Zaragosa holding a six-stroke lead over Tony Lascuña (70) and Reymon Jaraula (72).
Zaragosa pulls away
Zaragosa’s flightmates, Michael Bibat and Hyun Ro Ho, struggled to get going. Bibat hobbled home with two dropped shots, finishing with a 75 for 141, while Ho salvaged a birdie on the fifth before dropping two strokes and posting a 72 for 142.
“The course was so tough,” said Zaragosa. "My goal for the last six holes was just to hold par, but I was fortunate to grab a birdie. It was much tougher today than yesterday because the wind was extremely strong, but I stayed committed to my game plan."
Despite battling a persistent stiff neck that forced him to withdraw from last week’s Binitin event, Zaragosa shrugged off the discomfort with the help of medication.
"Whenever I take medicine, the pain goes away, so I'm able to play properly," he said.
His rivals now face the daunting task of delivering extraordinary rounds to spoil what looks like an inevitable victory for Zaragosa, who moved 18 holes away from replicating his breakthrough nine-stroke triumph over Lascuña in Iloilo last year.
"There's nothing to change with my game tomorrow," said Zaragosa. "The course is so hard, so I just have to stay patient."
Lascuña, a multi-titled veteran and winner of the Splendido Taal leg in similar stormy conditions, began the day with high hopes but suffered from a double bogey on the par-4 sixth hole, compounded by a bogey on the next.
"I lost focus on No. 6, and I don’t even know why," rued Lascuña. "Then I missed a four-foot putt on the seventh, and it just threw off my momentum."
Bibat’s struggles in the fierce winds dropped him to joint fourth at 141, seven strokes behind Zaragosa. He was joined by Forest Hills champion Keanu Jahns and Collin Wheeler, who matched 70s, Russell Bautista and Lakewood stage winner Sean Ramos, who both turned in 72s, and Francis Morilla, who fumbled with a 73.
Rho also slipped to joint 10th at 142 after a two-over card, alongside Nilo Salahog, who shot a 70, and reigning Philippine Masters winner Angelo Que, who struggled with a 74 after a 68.
Caliraya Springs leg champion Clyde Mondilla shot a 73 and Elee Bisera made a 77 as they pooled 151s and clinched the last two slots in the 41 and ties field which advanced to the final 18 holes.
Notable players who missed the cut included last year’s Negros Classic winner Ira Alido (80-154), former Philippine Masters champion and pro-am victor Jerson Balasabas (74-154), former Order of Merit champion Jobim Carlos (76-154), and Rico Depilo (76-155).
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