Kim nails TCC title with a heavy heart

STA. ROSA, Laguna, Philippines — Nine months after becoming the youngest winner on the Philippine Golf Tour with a breakthrough victory at Pueblo de Oro, Kim Joo Hyung bettered that feat by beating the best of the best in The Country Club Invitational here yesterday.

In a battle of nerves between two young guns, Kim, 16, kept his poise and pulled off clutch shots on the tough par-4 16th – a solid drive and a superb approach shot – then banged in a four-foot birdie putt to gain a decisive two-shot lead as Keanu Jahns earlier flubbed his par-putt bid from six feet.

It was all Kim needed to secure the victory after the 22-year-old Jahns tied him in the lead following the former’s three-putt miscue from 20 feet on No. 14 and after Clyde Mondilla dropped out of contention with three bogeys in a four-hole stretch from No. 13.

Not even a closing bogey on the 18th could spoil Kim’s claim to fame in the premier event also known as the Razon Cup as the young Korean finished with a 74 for a 72-hole total of a two-over 290 worth P1.5 million.

Not only did he keep the crown snatched by compatriot Micah Shin from 2017 winner and absentee Miguel Tabuena last year, but also he emerged as the youngest winner of the premier event in a big follow-up to his Pueblo feat last July.

Kim, who has dominated the national tournaments as an amateur before joining the pros last year, also set aside personal woes in the last 18 holes that further showed his maturity and character not to mention poise needed in such kind of pressure-packed finishes.

“It’s quite hurting and disturbing upon learning that my grandma has been diagnosed with cancer. But I set aside that (bad news) since I didn’t want it to affect my game,” said Kim. “I wanted to win so I kept playing till the end. I’m happy I made it.”

It was a sorry setback for Jahns, who gallantly fought back from four down after 54 holes with that birdie splurge at the back to get a clear shot at the crown in what has long been considered a major championship outside of the Philippine Open. He closed out with a second straight 71 for second at 291, still his best finish in six years worth P700,000.

“I need to toughen up more and more practice and sacrifice,” said Jahns.

Mondilla, who also pounced on a late two-shot swing to regain a share of the lead with Kim in the third round, struggled to survive a 38 start but still stayed in hunt with a two-over overall card after 13 holes.