Birdie binge gives Que first title

BACOLOD — Angelo Que popped out of nowhere to capture his maiden victory in only his third tournament as a professional, winning the fifth leg of the First Gentleman’s Professional Golf Circuit by a stroke over Cesar Ababa with a closing four-under-par 66 yesterday.

Giving himself a belated birthday gift after turning 24 last Tuesday, Que registered one of the fastest breakthrough victories in the pro tour with the weapon most needed over the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club -- a hot putter.

As the late flights went into a wild push-and-shove, Que knocked in seven birdies through the first 16 holes, five of them no shorter than eight feet, that gave him a comfortable cushion and the luxury of bogeying the last two holes.

Ababa, losing his bid for a first victory in seven years with a wet double bogey on the 11th, holed his bunker shot on the last hole but it was just good to salvage solo second place for the former National PGA champion.

Que, who turned pro after posting the best-ever individual finish by a Filipino -- third place in the World Amateurs -- had a 284 total as the fifth different winner in the revived tour bankrolled by First Gentleman Mike Arroyo and San Miguel Beer and organized by the Federation of Golf Clubs Philippines, Inc.

It was the highest winning score so far this season but the conditions of the greens were too harsh for the whole week not even the grizzled club regulars managed to solve the puzzle.

Ababa, among the three leaders after Round 3, carded a 72 to claim solo second while Order of Merit leader Richard Sinfuego, winner of the Canlubang leg, and Elmer Salvador both fired 71s to share third.

Rodrigo Cuello was the best finisher among the pros from Sugarlandia with his 72 and 72-hole aggregate of 287 good for fifth.

Disaster struck Pactolerin’s title ambition as he blew up with a 77 and settled for a share of 10th with Vivencio Lascuna, himself a victim of late misfortunes as he skied to a 42 in the back nine, and Mars Pucay at 290. Rey Alit, also a co-leader after 54 holes, was a stroke better in ninth spot despite his 76.

Que, believed to be the first Fil-Chinese in memory to win on local tour, said he didn’t expect his first victory as a pro to come so soon.

"I knew I had the game to become a winner but I was only hoping to be in the top five in my first few tournaments. This is totally unexpected," said Que, who even had the harrowing experience of missing the cut in his pro debut in Canlubang last month.

"At the start of the day, I knew I had a chance since most of leaders were all bunched up. I just tried to keep my focus and after I signed my scorecard I was surprised to be told that I can win the tournament."

Que said that the support of his family, friends and supporters like KZG, Wilson, Southwoods, South Point and the Fil-Chinese Federation as well as his coach Bong Lopez has been very crucial in his early victory.

After making birdies on the first two holes, Que pointed to a drive on the fourth hole that got into the green for a tap-in birdie as the one big stroke that boosted his confidence to get the win. His other birdies came on the seventh, 12th, 14th and 16th.

He finally felt the pressure when he faced a three-footer for par on 17th that didn’t even touch the hole. On the 18th and his thoughts hovering on a possible victory, he made a birdie attempt from the fringe that rolled 16 feet past the cup for another bogey.

"I was just lucky those boners didn’t affect my chances. I’m very happy to win today."

The tour next moves the Cebu Country Club for the sixth leg Dec. 10-13.

The final round scores:

284 — A. Que 75-73-70-66 (32-34)

285 — C. Ababa 72-69-72-72 (37-35),

286 — E. Salvador 72-71-72-71 (33-38), R. Sinfuego 70-74-71-71 (35-36),

287 — R. Cuello 75-70-70-72 (35-37)

288 — D. Cruz 68-74-72-74 (38-36), D. delos Santos 75-70-70-73 (37-36). V. Santia 71-71-74-72 (35-37)

289 — R.Alit 71-71-71-76 (39-37)

290 — R. Pactolerin 73-69-71-77 (39-38), V. Lascuna 70-73-71-76 (34-42), M. Pucay 72-69-77-72 (35-37),

291 — R. Ardimer 72-74-72-73 (36-37), R. Pagunsan 79-69-73-70 (36-34), O. Sumcad 77-72-74-68 (34-34)

292 — E. Bagtas 74-72-73-76 (37-36), N.Kempis 74-74-74-71 (35-36)

293 — E. Sanchez 74-73-71-75 (38-37)

294 — A. Lascuna 69-73-73-79 (39-40), M. Manubay 70-74-76-74 (40-34), R. Marcelo 77-74-74-69 (34-35), J. Bayron (am) 75-76-72-72 (38-34)