RP golfers claim rare 1-2 sweeps

Ferdie Aunzo and Cyna Rodriguez completed their sweep of the men’s and ladies divisions of the ninth Karambunai Amateur Open while Tonton Asistio and Anya Tanpinco capped the RP golfers’ romp by finishing second in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia Sunday.

Aunzo birdied Nos. 13 and 14 en route to a three-under par 69 and an even-par 216 as he cruised to a five-stroke victory over a charging Asistio, who fired a course-record 67 at the Nexus Golf Club and rallied from joint sixth to solo second at 221.

Nicholas Fung, Malaysia’s top amateur, lost his bid in the face of the Filipinos’ solid windup, fumbling with a 78 and finishing in joint third at 226 with Taiwanese Chin Jun Nian, who carded a 74.

Rodriguez, on the other hand, closed out with a three-over par 75 for a 228 as she coasted to a four-stroke win over Tanpinco in the 54-hole tournament serving as the ICTSI bets’ tuneup for the Sabah Amateur Open firing off this Friday.

Tanpinco, also priming up for her title-retention campaign in the Philippine Amateur Golf Championship late this month in Bacolod, shot a 76 for a 232.

The rare 1-2 finishes by the Filipinos in both divisions underscored their readiness for the Sabah tilt and the Malaysian Amateur Open set next week, where a tougher field is expected to see action.

After six holes, Aunzo had posted a five-shot lead over his nearest pursuer with an even par card although Asistio fought back from seven shots down to threaten at four-under.

For setting a new course mark, Asistio won a round trip ticket to Hong Kong.

Peter Villaber shot a 74 while Joey Huerva made a 75 as they finished in joint sixth at 229 with Lam Yu Sheun of Taiwan, who had a 75.