Jay survives Juvic charge, nails title

CEBU, Philippines  – Jay Bayron finally ended a string of runner-up finishes this year, outgunning Dutch Guido Van der Valk in the early going then holding off a charging Juvic Pagunsan at the back to annex the first Aboitiz Cebu Country Club Invitational crown with a closing two-under 70 for a two-stroke victory at the CCC layout here yesterday.

The 31-year-old Bayron, tied with Van der Valk at the start of the final round, bucked a double-bogey mishap on No. 3 with birdies on Nos. 7 and 9 to seize control then played it steady at the back to complete a pair of 35s over a course that proved tougher that what the field had thought it to be.

“Finally, I won again. It’s been a long search for another victory,” said Bayron, who had three runner-up finishes on the Mercedes-Benz Tour this season and finished second to Marvin Dumandan at the ICTSI-Sherwood Classic early this year, in Filipino.

Counting his earlier 66 and 69, Bayron completed his wire-to-wire triumph with a 205 aggregate worth P200,000, scoring his second victory on the revival of the pro circuit after topping the ICTSI Valley leg last year.

Pagunsan, one of the early favorites to win this 10th leg of the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour sponsored by Aboitiz Equity Ventures, ran out of holes in his bid for a third leg victory after topping the ICTSI-Riviera and ICTSI-Apo stages. He shot one of the day’s only two 69s and snatched second place at 207. He took home P120,000 in a big rebound after he, along with Elmer Salvador and Richard Sinfuego, were disqualified on a final hole infraction at the ICTSI-Del Monte leg ruled by absentee Cassius Casas last month.

Van der Valk, bidding to become the first foreign player to win on the local circuit, took the lead with a par on No. 3. But like in his final round loss to Salvador in last year’s Philippine Open and to Artemio Murakami in the Asian Tour Qualifying in Thailand, the Dutchman cracked under pressure and tumbled down to eighth place.

He stumbled with a 37 at the front, double-bogeyed the 14th and bogeyed the last two holes for a 77, finishing with a 212.

Dumandan made a strong finish after withdrawing at Apo and skipping the Del Monte leg of the circuit presented by ICTSI and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, grabbing third place with a 208 after a 70.

Jun Bernis, the former national champion, also turned in his best finish so far, a fourth place effort at 209 after a 71 while Angelo Que, fresh from his triumph at Selangor Masters in Malaysia, settled for joint fifth with Frankie Minoza and Murakami. Que and Miñoza shot identical 70s while Murakami made a 71 for 210s.

Rufino Bayron fired the other 69 while fellow former national teammate Ferdie Aunzo carded a 73 as they tied for ninth at 213 while Tony Lascuña and Rey Pagunsan shared 11th place at 214 after a 72 and 73, respectively.

Jerson Balasabas emerged the low amateur for the third time in the season, firing a 70 for a share of 13th with Salvador (71), Ebarra Quiachon (71), Gene Bondoc (71) and Albin Engino (74).

The event was backed by MJ Carr Golf Management, Jaguar, Land Rover, Studio 23, Balls TV, Srixon/Cleveland Golf, Callaway Golf, Odyssey and Golf Punk and media partners Business Mirror, Inquirer Golf Monthly, A Round of Golf, Pinoygolfer.com and Omnisource.