RP golfers falter in Putra Cup

CHONBURI, Thailand — The Philippines faltered in the final round with a woeful 239 and settled for second place behind Thailand, which romped away with its third straight Putra Cup crown at the Chonburi Golf and Country Club course here yesterday.

It was a sorry windup for the Filipinos, who started the day with a two-shot lead over the hosts but just couldn’t hang on in the face of the Thais’ stirring final round blitz.

The Philippines wound up with an 893, 16 strokes behind the Thais who simply ran away with the title on an 877 total.

Over in Hong Kong, Rodrigo Cuello slowed down after a fiery 63 Friday as he matched par 72 at the Clearwater Bay Golf and Country Club course and dropped to joint 14th going in the final 18 holes of the rich Star Alliance Open of the Asian PGA Tour.

Cuello’s 206 total was 10 shots behind joint leaders Arjun Atwal of India, carding a 68, and Taiwan’s Yeh Wei-tze, who gained a share of the lead with a 66.

Meanwhile, Cassius Casas stayed in the hunt of a berth in the third and final leg of the US PGA Tour qualifier when he shot a 69 Friday to move within two strokes of the cut-off score.

After so-so rounds of 75 and 73, Casas finally settled down and tamed the Deerwood Golf and Country Club course in Kingwood, Texas with that three-under card as he compiled a 217 aggregate for a share of 35th place with Emlyn Aubrey.

That was just two strokes of the 21st running players and Casas hopes to repeat his stint in the first leg in Florida where he fought back from two shots in the final round to beat four others in a thrilling playoff.

Only the top 23 players will advance to the final stage on Nov. 29-Dec. 4 in La Quinta, California.