Murakami snares Mercedes-Benz crown from 5 shots down

ANILA, Philippines - Artemio Murakami came out of nowhere to capture the Mercedes-Benz Masters Philippines, closing out with a fiery five-under 67 to beat three-day leader Jay Bayron and two others by one stroke at the Manila Southwoods’ Legends Course yesterday.

In what stood as one of the most stirring comebacks in recent years, Murakami birdied the final two holes then watched the erstwhile contenders falter with bogeys to literally snatch the championship on a four-day total of 275 worth $9,750 or P4.3 million.

Murakami, who topped this year’s Asian Tour Qualifying School, actually rallied from 11 strokes down halfway through the 72-hole event, then quietly worked his way back into contention with a course record-equaling eight-under 64 on his home course in the third round.

Still, the Fil-Japanese shotmaker, also a former winner of The Country Club Invitational, stood five shots behind Bayron at the start of the final round but slowly crept within with an early run of birdies.

But it was not until he nailed a superb 6-iron from 160 yards into the wind for a closing birdie that he knew he had a chance for the crown.

“When I birdied No. 17, I was told I was close to the lead so I said to myself I must birdie the 18th. I was nervous on that final putt and told myself it was just like the putt that I made to win the Johor Open in 2007,” said the ICTSI-backed Murakami, referring to his first and only victory on the Asian Tour.

Bayron, the leader since round one and in control all day until a bogey on No. 15, blew it all when he three-putted from three feet on No. 16 for a double bogey. He finished with a 73 and fell into joint second with Angelo Que and Dutchman Guido Van der Valk, who both had 69s, at 276.

Both Que and Van Der Valk bogeyed the par-4 18th after missing the green.

“I got my putting back yesterday and was striking the ball really well so it all came together over the last two days,” said Murakami.

Bayron appeared on course to record a wire-to-wire victory in the $60,000 tournament which served as the kickoff leg of the Mercedes Benz Tour and had a three-shot cushion for much of the day.

“I am very disappointed. I was very tired after a long week of being in front. I will just have to learn from this,” said Bayron.

Mars Pucay matched par 72 and wound up fifth with a 277.

Rookie pro Nicholas Fung from Malaysia shot a 70 and tied for sixth at 279 with Filipino ace Juvic Pagunsan, who had a 72.

Thailand’s Namchok Tantipokhakul, last year’s Mercedes-Benz Tour Order of Merit winner, fired a 71 to finish six adrift of Murakami at 281 along with his compatriot and last year’s champion Wisut Artjanawat, who came in with a 73. 

Teeners Miguel Tabuena and Miggy Yee finished strongly to complete a remarkable week.

Tabuena, 15, closed with a 68 to finish as the leading amateur on three under 285.

Yee, who at 13 became the youngest player to make the cut on the Mercedes-Benz Tour this week, closed with a 73.