Jonar Austria and Dottie Ardina took charge of their respective divisions despite over par cards, with the former shooting a 73 for a one-stroke lead over Reymon Jaraulla and John Kier Abdon while the latter wresting a four-shot lead over Sunshine Baraquiel with a 76 in the Philippine Amateur Match Play (Closed) Championship at the lightning fast greens of the challenging Sherwood Hills Golf Club, in Cavite.

Sherwood Hills, a Golf Digest top 100 golf course, showed its grit and toughness with its course conditions. The elements made the all natural terrain of Sherwood Hills not an easy target for the cream of the crop competitors.

Jonar Austria, hit two birdies against three bogeys for a 35-38 card as he led the field in the 36-hole medal play elimination.

Jaraulla eagled the par-5 15th to close out with a 35 and salvage a 74 as he tied Abdon, who floundered with a 39, while Magno Arancon stood a shot farther back at 75 and Gio Gandionco wavered in scorching heat with a 78 for fifth.

Ardina, on the other hand, made two birdies but had six bogeys, including on the holes that marred her 76 card.

The event serving as the third leg of the Globe Amateur Golf Circuit, backed by Suntrust Properties, Inc., Airphil Express , Titleist, ( Empire Golf), Pancake House, Golf Depot and official hotel Microtel Suites.

Ardina, winner of the WWWEx-DHL crown at Cangolf, took a four-shot lead over Baraquiel, who made an 80 in tough condition while rising star Rainstar Roque put herself in the mix with an 84 followed by Apple Fudolin, who had an 85 in a tie with reigning Hong Kong Am Open champion Jayvie Agojo.

Lovelynn Guioguio, winner of the Philippine Amateur Open, the circuit’s first leg, skied to an 87 in a tie with Jan Punzalan while Eva Minoza turned in an 89.

Lino Magpantay, meanwhile, seized the early lead in seniors play, shooting an 80, four ahead of Bing Bunyi, who had an 84, while Kinichi Kitamura took third place with an 87., respectively, in the event where play shifts to match Friday.

Dennis Gonzales strung up 40 and 38 for a 78 as he took a three-shot lead over Nico Santiago, who made an 81, in the mid-amateur division.

In third place are Raymond Bunquin, who shot an 84 for a three-way tie with Aian Arcilla and Martin Guiang while Deo Aguinaldo and Jingy Tuazon carded identical 86s.

The event was conducted by the National Golf Association of the Phils. *PNA

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