Phl golfers collapse, miss World Cup

MANILA, Philippines - Tony Lascuña and Mars Pucay floundered at the finish with three straight bogeys and failed to salvage a berth in the World Cup at the close of the Asian qualifier topped by New Zealand in Selangor, Malaysia yesterday.

The Filipinos blew an eagle-aided two-under card after 14 holes with that bogey string from No. 14, hobbling with a one-over 72 under the alternate shot format at the par-71 Seri Selangor Golf Club and wound up in joint fourth at six-under 278.

That was three shots off third placer Korea, which took the last seat in the World Cup with a 275 after a 69.

New Zealand rallied with a four-under 67 to snatch the top spot at 271, nipping erstwhile leader Singapore in the countback. Singapore also ended with a 271 after a 72, and took the second berth.

Lascuña and Pucay, who shot the day’s best of 63 in the third round to move into contention, eagled the par-5 No. 5 but bogeys on Nos. 9 and 10 slowed them down.

They bounced back with two birdies on the next three holes but failed to sustain their charge and dropped a stroke on No. 14 before bogeying the next two.

The World Cup will be played Nov. 24-27 in Mission Hills in China with US Open champion Rory McIlroy of Ireland and Masters winner Charl Schwartzel of South African seeing action.