Murakami stays on top in PGT Order of Merit

MANILA, Philippines - Asian Tour campaigner Artemio Murakami continued to hold sway in the Order of Merit ranking of the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour, piling up earnings of P557,450 after five legs of the country’s premier 13-stage circuit.

Boosted by his come-from-behind victory in the Mercedes-Benz Masters Philippines at the Manila Southwoods last April, Murakami, 27, kept his lead over a charging Mars Pucay with a third place finish in the ICTSI-Forest Hills Invitational recently.

Pucay, also a regular campaigner on the Asian Tour and the Mercedes-Benz Tour, snapped a long title drought on the local front by ruling the Forest Hills stage, outdueling reigning Philippine Open champion Elmer Salvador and Murakami in a final round shootout.

With his P200,000 prize, the 39-year-old Pucay, who also finished joint second with Jay Bayron at Southwoods, moved up to second with P493,921 winnings. Bayron, the erstwhile frontrunner with runner-up finishes at ICTSI Classics at Mt. Malarayat and Sherwood, slid to third with earnings of P460,471.

Salvador, winner at Mt. Malarayat, the kickoff leg of this year’s circuit sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc. and organized by the Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., is in fourth with P402,746 winnings.