MANILA, Philippines - Ruperto Zaragosa III took control early and went on to fashion out a 2&1 victory over Andres Saldana to bag the 2011 Philippine Junior Closed Championship crown at the Alabang Country Club yesterday.
Zaragosa, 13, was in command all day, taking a 3-up lead into the 10th hole before playing steady the rest of the way to rule the centerpiece division of the tournament.
“I am very happy because I was able to play my best round of the week today,” said Zaragosa after finishing one-under for 17 holes and completing the wire-to-wire victory.
It was Zaragosa’s second major title after ruling the 11-12 division of the Callaway Junior World championship in San Diego last year.
Mia Legaspi, the 12-year-old wonder, broke away from top seed Daniela Uy early in the back nine to win, 4&2, and cop the girls’ crown in the event presented by Pancake House and SOC Land and backed by the Herma Group, Great Depot, Callaway and Odyssey Golf.
Legaspi, who together with Zaragosa was included in the national pool two months ago, went 1-up with a routine par on No. 11 before gunning down birds on Nos. 13 and 14 to win with plenty to spare.
and snare the biggest title of her career.
Princess Superal, who fell to Legaspi in the semifinals, salvaged third place with a 1-up victory over Daniela Gonzales.
Lloyd Go was the boys’ division’s third placer after a 4&2 win over Aris Mata.