Salvador pulls away in P1M Sherwood Hills Classic

TRECE MARTIRES, Cavite—Elmer Salvador produced a five-under-par 67 without any flaws to pull away by four shots off Cassius Casas in the second round of the P1-million ICTSI Sherwood Hills Classic at the windy course of the Sherwood Hills Golf Club Friday. Bunched atop the leaderboard with three others in the opening round, Salvador made three birdies in the first nine then canned two more in the last half for that 67 and 135 total. He posted a record of sorts by being bogey free in 36 of the 54-hole event. "I needed this kind of a game, especially that I am hitting the ball well these days. I just hope to hold it for another day," said the Davao native Salvador, whose runner-up finish in the Asian Tour’s Singapore Classic boosted his confidence level. Casas, still winless thus far in the 16-leg ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour, made birdies three times in 11 holes to be at 139 after a three-under 69. His hunger to win again—the last one happened in Del Monte last year—is motivating the former Philippine Open champ. "I have a big chance here at Sherwood. I've never been so confident than I am now. If I can cut Salvador's lead to two in the front nine, I might be able to pull through," Casas said. Artemio Murakami actually shot the day's best six-under 66, about four down from the course record of 62 by Casas and Dan Cruz some years back, to jump to third with a 141. The 41-year-old Mars Pucay, Murakami's fellow Asian Tour campaigner, stumbled to a two-over 74 with four bogeys as against only two birdies for 142, good for fourth. Antonio Lascuna, who held joint leadership Thursday, slipped with a 75 for 143 while Gene Bondoc (76) and Michael Bibat (69) and Danny Zarate (74) shared sixth place on 144s. — Adrian Flores/JVP, GMA News