Eustaquio emerges top Filipino finisher

MANILA, Philippines - US-based Judson Eustaquio became the top Filipino placer in the Asian Amateur Championship ruled by Korean Han Chang-won, finishing 10th with a closing 72 as erstwhile contender Mhark Fernando limped home with a 78 at the Mission Hills Golf Club’s World Cup course Sunday.

Eustaquio, who fell short of his bid to join the national team to next month’s SEA Games in Laos, humbled the members of the RP squad as he pooled a two-under 286 total to make it to the top 10 in the 72-hole tournament that staked a berth in the US Masters.

He could’ve finished in joint seventh if not for a double-bogey on the 18th that marred his 34-38 round that included three birdies and a bogey.

Fernando, in fifth place and five shots behind Han at the start of the final round, made a quadruple bogey 8 on No. 12 and had three bogeys with only a birdie to show in a 37-41 card as he slipped to joint 22nd with three others at one-over 289.

That enabled Jhonnel Ababa to gain a joint 11th finish with a one-under 71, his round also marred by a double-bogey mishap on the 18th. He had four birdies in a 35-36 card for a 287 aggregate.

Antonio Asistio II, who with Calatagan teammates Fernando and Ababa and fellow ICTSI golf squad member Rufino Bayron will lead the country’s bid in the SEA Games, hardly recovered from a 79 in the third round and finished with 74 for joint 34th with a 293.

Han, who brought a two-shot lead into the final round, dominated the field with a 12-under 276 total on a closing 70 for a five-shot romp over compatriot Eric Chun, who had a 281 after a 73. 

Han thus booked a place at the 2010 US Masters and along with Chun, will see action in the International Final Qualifying for the 150th Open Championship at St Andrews.