Rafael Bandayrel
SILANG, Cavite – Rookie PGT Asia campaigner Damien Jordan yesterday sustained his eagle spree in another hot, windy day, hitting a third one to salvage a 71 and grab a one-stroke lead over Michael Bibat and American John Michael O’Toole in the third round of the ICTSI Riviera Classic
Jordan came through with a sensational eagle feat off the fairway bunker on the par-4 15th, his third in two days that somehow cushioned the impact of the Aussie’s three-putt miscue on the par-3 No. 17. It also sent the battle for top $17,500 purse wide open the way it was in the kickoff leg of the second Philippine Golf Tour Asia at Luisita last month.
That late-hole bogey and a 71 netted Jordan a 54-hole aggregate of four-under 209, just a stroke up on Bibat, who bounced back from a second 75 with a 69, and O’Toole who turned in his third straight 70 for identical 210s at the Langer course.
“It was so hot I’m happy to end the day. I’m also glad to be up there in the leaderboard,” said Jordan, who tied for fifth in the PGTA Q-School but skipped the ICTSI Luisita Championship.
After a mediocre 71 Wednesday, the 37-year-old from Tweed Meads wheeled back into contention with a 67 in the second round, highlighted by two eagles, including a pitch-in feat on No. 6. But he went up-and-down yesterday, mixing three birdies against four bogeys until he knocked down that eagle from 80 yards on No. 15.
