Tanpinco, Agojo top jungolf tilt

Filipinos JR Tanpinco closed out with a 77 and Jayvee Agojo turned in an 81 to rule their respective divisions at the close of the fourth PLDT Philippine International Junior Championship yesterday at Wack Wack east course.

Tanpinco, who started the round five shots behind Sae-ung Wittatwat in the Special Division, gained a share of the lead right after nine holes with a 38 then watched Sae-ung crack up down the stretch to rule the event for 18-21 years old.

Together with his earlier rounds of 79, 78 and 73, Tanpinco wound up with 307 to capture the coveted trophy to go with his Class A crown in the 1998 inaugural event.

Sae-ung collapsed with an 85 for a 310.

Agojo gave the Philippines her second championship when she came up with an 81 to go with her earlier 73 and 76 to win the girls’ Class A crown with 230.

Aaron Lyon of Australia shot a 70 yesterday to top the 17-under division.

Playing his best for last, Lyon, 16, ran away with the 17-and-under overall crown with that closing two-under card.

Dorothy Delasin, the 2000 Athlete of the Year awardee, surprised all the 108 participants from 12 countries and territories, parents and officials when she graced the award ceremony.

Tournament director Gerard Cantada invited Delasin, now an LPGA Tour player, before she accepted her award from the Philippine Sportswriters Association.