Reigning Manila Masters titlist Tony Lascuña of Davao City fired a tfour under par 68 to put himself in third place after the opening round of the ICTSI Forest Hills Championship at the Forest Hills Golf and Country Club in Antipolo on Wednesday.
Lascuna outplayed ICTSI Luisita champion Miguel Tabuena and recent Calatagan leg winner Zanieboy Gialon, birdying two of the last three holes for his opening round scorecard.
Veteran Arnold Villacencio capitalized his steady putting and scored six-under 65 for a two-shot lead over young Ira Alido.
Villacencio surprised the field sizzling with two birdies in the last four holes to nines of 33-32 card and set the pace at the Nicklaus layout.
“I played a fantastic round. Everything was in place, including my putting,” said Villacencio.
The PHP3 million event is sponsored by ICTSI and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.
“Hopefully, I maintain my game and win,” added Villacencio, out to end a long title spell and string of missed cut stints aiming for the coveted title and whopping PHP550,000 to the top winner on Saturday.
Ira Alido, eagled par-5 No. 6 and birdied No. 8 to shoot a 67 in another impressive start for the rookie pro who is in second spot.
Rico Depilo stood two strokes behind at 69 in the event backed by Custom Clubmakers, BDO, Meralco, Sharp, KZG, PLDT, Champion, Summit Mineral Water and K&G Golf.
Another Dabawenyo Elmer Salvador bogeyed the 18th and missed joining Depilo at fourth with a 70, settling for joint fifth with Benjie Magada, Ferdie Aunzo, Jobim Carlos, Anthony Fernando and Korean Hwang Myung Chal. (Primo P. Agatep/PNA)
