Fernando snaps slump, tops Riviera Classic

SILANG, Cavite, Philippines – Mhark Fernando came through with clutch putts in the closing holes then watched Jessie Balasabas crack under pressure to cruise to a three-shot win with a second straight 71 in the P2.5 million Riviera Classic at Langer Course here yesterday.

Fernando, who all but wrapped it up with a four-stroke lead in the third round, raced away to a five-shot lead at the turn.

He then parred the backside to frustrate Balasabas and snap a two-year slump. The former national champion, took charge in the second round and was never challenged on his way to his second career win after dominating the Calatagan Challenge in 2011.

“I told myself that I just have to stay steady since I am in the lead. I did not want to lose because of silly mistakes,” said the 32-year-old Fernando, who pooled a 72-hole total of four-under 280 aggregate and pocketed his biggest earning to date worth P450,000.

Balasabas actually moved within two with back-to-back birdies from No. 15 in overcast skies to put some semblance of a fight. But he three-putted the par-3 17th from 15 feet, enabling Fernando to sit on another three-shot cushion.

He settled for a 70 for second at 283 and also took his biggest paycheck to date worth P320,000.

“I miscalculated the putt. Had it gone in, the game would have changed and probably would have had propelled me into a potential playoff with Mhark,” rued Balasabas.

Gerald Rosales, the former Philippine Open champion here in 2000 who led the first round of this 13th leg of the Philippine Golf Tour, rallied with a two-under 69 and salvaged a 285 worth P210,000.

Veteran Robert Pactolerin also dished out his best finish in years, matching par 71 and finishing fifth at 286. He took home P150,000.

Benjie Magada shot a 70 and wound up fifth worth P110,000.

Like in the first three days, Fernando opened with a bogey. But as it was in the first 54 holes, he flashed some kind of resiliency, hitting birdies on Nos. 4 and 7 to negate his other bogey on No. 6. He  made the turn at even 35 to go up by five as Balasabas carded a 36.

It was cruise control from there although Balasabas made some charge with four birdies against a bogey after seven holes at the back, only to wilt under pressure with that costly three-putt miscue on the 17th.

Marvin Dumandan (72) and Edward Reyes (73) ended up joint sixth with 288s while Richard Sinfuego (70), Elmer Saban (74) and Paul Echavez (75) tied for eighth on 289s in the event sponsored by ICTSI and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.

Other backers were Nike Golf, Srixon, Custom Clubmakers, Pacsports, Cleveland Golf, Callaway, Ping, Mizuno, Empire Golf and Sports Shop, FootJoy, Titleist, Sharp, BMW and Gergia Energy Foods.