Daily TribuneQuintanilla’s strong individual showing was not enough to keep the Philippine team in contention.
Grace Quintanilla is holding on a four-stroke lead entering the championship round Thursday.
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF Grace Quintanilla FB
Grace Quintanilla birdied the par-3 eighth — her 17th hole — to salvage an even-par 71 and retain the lead in the women’s individual competition of the Singapore Amateur Open at the Bukit course in Singapore on Wednesday.
Despite making five bogeys, including three on the back nine, Quintanilla countered with five birdies for a 36-35 round and a two-day total of 138. She heads into Thursday’s third round with a one-shot advantage over Hong Kong China’s Hei Tung Leung, who fired a 68. Thailand’s Wirada Tawinsang also carded a 68 to sit another stroke back at 140.
Singapore’s Valencia Chang matched the day’s best round of 68 to climb to within six shots of the lead after starting the day nine behind.
Quintanilla’s strong individual showing, however, was not enough to keep the Philippine team in contention. Partner Alethea Gaccion struggled to an 81 as the duo slipped 12 shots behind team leaders Leung and Xizihan Wang of Hong Kong China, who posted an even-par 284 after Wang shot 73. Wang is tied for fourth individually at 145, alongside Singapore’s Amelie Ng, who returned a 74.
In the men’s division, Rolando Bregente cooled off after his opening-round brilliance, settling for a two-under 70 to fall three shots behind Australia’s Max Moring.
The Eastridge standout made two birdies against a lone bogey for a 134 total, while Moring surged into the lead with a dazzling 10-birdie 62 for 131.
Another Australian, Jonty Lunzon, carded a 68 despite a double bogey on the third hole to stay three shots behind Moring. Australia also seized the team lead at 19-under 265, nine shots clear of Hong Kong China.
Bregente and teammate Chris John Remata slipped from third to fourth in the team standings with an even-par 284, 19 shots off the pace. Remata followed his opening 74 with a 76, marred by a double bogey and six bogeys against just two birdies.
The second round was a stark contrast to Bregente’s opening 64, highlighted by six birdies and an eagle that gave him the first-round lead.
Australia’s Harrison Gomez moved into the top five after a 67 for 136, while Jet Hernandez emerged as the next-best Filipino at six-under overall, tied with Gomez, with three holes still to play in his second round.
