Que snaps long spell, clinches Eastridge title

MANILA, Philippines - Angelo Que blew a three-stroke lead with an early backside meltdown but hit a clutch birdie on No. 13 to salvage a 72 and edge Miguel Tabuena and Ferdie Aunzo by two to cop the ICTSI Manila Masters crown and snap a three-year title spell at the Eastridge Golf Club in Binangonan, Rizal yesterday.

Que nearly put a solid eagle-spiked 34 start to naught with bogeys in the first three holes at the back but rammed in a decisive birdie on the par-5 13th to regain control, then outsteadied Tabuena with a run of pars to claim a two-stroke victory despite a closing 38.

The three-time Asian Tour champion, who bounced back from a mediocre start of 72 and 71 with a fiery 66 Friday to tie Tabuena at helm, pooled a 72-hole total of seven-under 281 to nail the elusive win on the ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour worth P650,000.

Hounded by poor putting, Tabuena went birdie-less for the first time in a long while but still stayed in the title hunt with a slew of pars at the back until he bogeyed the 17th and fell by two. He ended up with a 74 and dropped to joint second with Ferdie Aunzo, who rallied with three birdies at the back for a 69, at 283. Each got P335,000.

Elmer Salvador bettered Aunzo’s fiery backside rally with a five-under 31 to fire a 67 and salvage joint fourth with Clyde Mondilla, who moved to within two after 12 holes but reeled back with a closing 38 and a 72, at 284. They shared the combined P350,000 prize.

Reigning three-time PGT Order of Merit champion Tony Lascuña continued to grope for form for the second straight week, settling for a 72 and a share of sixth with Korean Woo Seung Bin, who wavered with a 73, at 286 worth P125,000 each while Cassius Casas and Jay Bayron shot identical 70s to finish joint eighth at even 288 with Orlan Sumcad, who carded a 71. Each received P88,833.