Miñoza shoots eagle-aided 65 for joint 52nd

MANILA, Philippines - Frankie Miñoza closed out with one of the day’s three best scores of seven-under 65 and jumped 19 rungs higher to finish in joint 52nd in the ACE Group Classic topped by German Bernhard Langer at The Quarry in Naples, Florida Sunday.

Miñoza, who started the final round at 71st, bucked an opening hole bogey with a cluster of birdies on Nos. 3, 6, 7 and 12 before ramming in an eagle on the par-5 14th. He knocked down two more birdies on Nos. 15 and 17 to cap a sterling 34-31 round.

He wound up with a one-under 215 and although Miñoza finished 19 strokes behind Langer’s tournament-record 196 total, it should give him the confidence as he resumes his campaign on the US Seniors Tour, most likely in the Toshiba Classic in California next month.

“He’s still feeling his way around. Give him more time and he’ll be all right,” said Roger Retuerto, Miñoza’s long-time coach, during a break in practice in the PAL Interclub in Cagayan de Oro where the former national mentor is handling the Manila Golf Club squad.

Miñoza won $3,960, a big improvement from his $1,323 earnings last week.

Miñoza, a former two-time Philippine Open champion, debuted with a forgettable 71st place finish in The Allianz Championship, also in Florida, and headed for another poor windup after dropping to 71st place in the second round at the ACE Group tilt.

But he fought back after that bogey on No. 1 as he found his bearing after sinking three birdies in the next eight holes before sustaining his momentum at the back.

Langer ran away with the crown worth $240,000 with a 66 as he beat American Fred Funk, who also had a 66-200 by four. Nick Price and Russ Cochran shared third place at 201 after a 66 and a 67, respectively.