Mamat celebrates win in tears

MANILA, Philippines - Mardan Mamat of Singapore led from start to finish and was crowned the new ICTSI Philippine Open champion yesterday at Wack Wack.

He looked so calm, cool and collected throughout the tournament, but not after the victory when he broke down during the press interview.

The five-stroke victory worth $47,000 was the first in nearly six years for Mamat in the Asian Tour where he had posted victories in 2004 and 2006.

The heavily-built 44-year-old was asked if there was any point during the drought he had thought of quitting the game or at least never winning again.

Then he mentioned his wife, Naz, and started to cry.

“It was my wife who encouraged me a lot, pushed me a lot. She kept saying, ‘You love this game, so why quit now,’” said Mamat with tears rolling down his cheeks.

He also thanked Frankie Miñoza for giving him an advice. He said he had dinner with the Filipino golf legend the day before the tournament, and was told “to be patient” with the course.

“It was a big help. So, I tried to be patient because this course can blow you up anytime,” he said.

Mamat said he can’t wait to come home, and in fact was in a hurry to leave the press room because he had a flight to catch.

The former caddie laughed when told that the victory was as a perfect Valentine’s gift for his wife, and said, “Everyday is Valentine’s Day for us.”

Out on the course, wet and soggy because it drizzled all day, Mamat had a field day. He fired a one-under 71 for a total of 280 at Wack Wack East.

Mamat was five strokes ahead of his closest pursuer, Korea’s Joong Kyung Mo (74-285). Filipino Tony Lascuna had a brilliant 69 for a tie for third with Japan’s Azuma Yano (70) at 287.

Ben Fox of the United States was alone in fifth (72-288) followed by Australians Adam Blyth (71) and Paul Donahoo (72) at 289.

Miguel Tabuena, the 17-year-old wonder, started the day just a shot behind Mamat, but wilted under the pressure of becoming the youngest Filipino to win the tournament.

Tabuena bogeyed the first hole and didn’t do anything right the rest of the way for a nine-over-par 81 and a 291 total. His worst round of the tournament came after a course record 67.

“I just put too much pressure on myself and tried too hard,” he said. “I was feeling the pressure and after I bogeyed the first hole I lost my confidence.”

Tabuena ended up tied for 11th with former {Philippine Open champions Angelo Que (2008) and Anthony Kang  of the US (1999), Chawalit Plaphol of Thailand, Joonas Granberg of Finland and Marcus Both of Australia.

Tabuena triple bogeyed the 10th, a relatively easy par-4 where he sent his drive behind the trees, played out, missed the green and three-putted for a seven.

With that mishap he threw it all away, and gave Mamat all the leeway he needed out on the difficult course.

Ferdie Aunzo and Mars Pucay of the Philippines came in tied for 23rd at 294 following rounds of 73 and 76, respectively. Berry Henson of the US, last year’s winner, was in that group after a 76.

Mamat, who had asked press photographers to restrain from taking pictures of him while he’s swinging, looked ready to celebrate after another par on the 17th.

He started to smile, fooling around with the television camera.

“Hi there. It’s been a good week,” said Mamat.

Rain water dripped from the tip of his visor as he putted on the 18th, and when it was all done he raised both hands and his putter into the air.

Then he fell on his knees and said a short Muslim prayer, planting his head on the green. Slowly he picked himself up, and faced the gray sky.

The gallery applauded.

Notes: It was a very successful hosting of the Asian Tour leg for Wack Wack. “This tournament has gone beyond Wack Wack and its members. The benefit it brings is for the country. For four glorious days, the Philippines and Wack Wack was seen on television in some 600 million homes in 200 countries. Truly, the sport of golf, the Philippine Open, and Wack Wack have made more concrete the motto, “It’s more fun in the Philippines,” said Wack Wack president Popoy Juico... As expected, former President Fidel V. Ramos, came despite the rains. The other day, it was former First Gentleman Mike Arroyo who was out on the course trailing the leaders. Juvic Pagunsan, the Asian Tour Order of Merit winner in 2011, was also around, back home after missing the cut in the Dubai Desert Classic. How he wished he stayed home, and gave the Philippine Open a shot.