The Porsche Singapore Classic has been reduced to 54 holes. Conclusion: there is less room for everything. Whatever you want, you must do it quickly. If you want to win, don’t get distracted and get to the top early. There’s no other way. In this sense, the Armada has done a good job on the first day, which was played this Friday after yesterday’s complete suspension. We don’t have any of ours in the lead, but there are two who have made it into the top 10, and we have five in the top 25. Could it be better? Always. Could it be worse? Certainly. It’s a good number of bullets with 36 holes ahead.
Those who have made it into the top 10 are Manu Elvira (-6), who played in the morning, and his brother Nacho (-5). All in the family. The younger is third, and the elder has moved to eighth. Very good start. The lead is shared by Armitage and Matthew Jordan with (-7). Everything is tight. Additionally, Alfredo García Heredia, Joel Moscatel, and Ángel Ayora are just four off the lead, in 24th place, all three under par. It’s true that Moscatel and Ayora finished with a bogey, which always leaves a bitter aftertaste, but in terms of the tournament, their position is privileged.
Of course, we must also count on Alex del Rey (-2), even though he finished with two bogeys, and Iván Cantero (-1). Six strokes difference with the lead is by no means insurmountable. Having seven Spaniards in that close range with 36 holes to go is good news. Moreover, except for Manu Elvira, the rest will play on Saturday morning, theoretically having better conditions.
Nacho Elvira has followed his brother Manu’s good path to get to the top. He made six birdies and a solitary bogey. He couldn’t avoid a gesture of frustration seeing a good chance slip away on the 18th to have also finished in third place. Still, another good round for Nacho, who landed in Singapore after two good performances in Qatar and Kenya.
Special mention for Alfredo García Heredia. The Asturian was one of the three who managed to deliver a bogey-free card in the afternoon. Very commendable. The Laguna National Golf Resort in Singapore offers birdie opportunities if you’re playing well, but it also has very tricky holes, like the 16th, 9th, or 17th. You have to play very orderly to avoid getting into trouble.
In this sense, you only have to look at results like Robert MacIntyre (+1), with a five-over-par in the last seven holes, or the same Tom McKibbin (-3), who got to five under after eleven holes and finished his round with a +2.
This Saturday, the second round will be played, and then the cut will be made with the top 65 and ties. On Sunday, the third and final round will be played.
