Carlos scores US college breakthrough

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine team mainstay Jobim Carlos on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) closed out with a two-over-par 74 to complete a coast-to-coast triumph in the Cabo Del Sol Invitational at the Cabo Del Sol’s Ocean course in Mexico, his first win as a collegian in the United States.

Playing for the University of San Francisco, Carlos, the 20-year-old scholar of the MVP Sports Foundation through the National Golf Association of the Philippines, also led the Dons to a second place finish in the team side of the tournament behind University of California-Irvine.

“It just feels so great, considering that I have been struggling with my game lately,” Carlos, who helped the Philippines snap a 17-year Putra Cup championship last July in Cavite, said in a text message. “Hopefully, I can add to this victory in the near future.”

Counting earlier rounds of 68 and 70, Carlos tallied a level 212 for 54 holes, five clear of Texas State’s Tyler Thomas with five bets tying for third spot another stroke behind.

“We’re just so proud of him,” said Al Panlilio, president of the MVPSF. “The win is a big boost to his career and to Philippine golf as well.”

USF failed to score a sweet sweep of the tournament after the Dons, as a whole, squandered a 13-stroke lead going into the final round as UC-Irvine closed out with the day’s lowest round of 290 for a one-stroke win.

Towson State finished third with Santa Ana and Bowling Green checking in fourth and fifth, respectively.

Carlos’ performance still towed the Dons to their best finish in three tournaments this semester after USF had wound up fourth in Missouri last week.