Unson captures first AJGA crown

MANILA, Philippines - Andie Unson continued to reap honors abroad, ruling the AccuSport Championship with a closing four-over par 74 for a one-stroke victory over Chantakan Chanpalangsri of Florida at the Tanglewood Park’s Championship Course in Clemmons, North Carolina Thursday.

Unson, 15, groped for form as she came out of a two-hour rain delay but bucked Chanpalangsri’s final round charge to annex her first championship in the American Junior Golf Association, which provides competitive junior golf tournaments for young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships.

The top ICTSI bet also clinched the low medal honors in the one-day qualifier for the 54-hole tournament, reduced to 53 holes as one hole was rendered unplayable due to heavy downpour in the final round.

“The weather affected me a little since it was shotgun start but I had to refocus,” said Unson, who ruled the San Diego Junior Masters and the Optimist International Junior title in Florida last month.

“She’s been hitting the ball pretty well and with her work habit and determination, Andie’s bound to win more tournaments,” said ICTSI team coach Bong Lopez.

Unson opened up with a 67, spiked by eight birdies, to build a six-stroke lead then stayed four shots ahead of Alexandra Rossi of Texas and seven ahead of Chanpalangsri despite a 74 in the second round.

She wound up with a nine-over 215, nipping Chanpalangsri, who rallied with a 68 but fell short of her bid at 216. Rossi placed third with a 217 after a 72.

“I’d like to thank God because everything that happened today was because of Him. And I’m just so grateful because this is my first AJGA win. I have been striving to win before but it’s only now that I could do it under coach Bong’s training,” said Unson.