Hot finish nets Cruz Cangolf Am crown

MANILA, Philippines — Dan Cruz blazed home with an eagle-spiked 32 and closed out with a 67 to snare the men’s crown from fellow Luisita bet Jhondie Quibol while Nicole Abela cruised to a five-stroke romp in women’s side of the Canlubang Amateur Open at Cangolf’s South course in Laguna last Friday.

Cruz, who fell from a crowded first-round leaderboard with a bogey-riddled 75 Thursday, still trailed Quibol by three after the teammates made the turn with 35s. But the former leaned on a crucial three-birdie string from No. 13 to wrest control and matched the latter’s pars and bogey in the last three holes to clinch his biggest win thus far in a young career.

The son of a former pro and namesake, Cruz pooled a one-under 215 through 54 holes, edging Quibol by one with SEA Games-bound Sean Ramos from Orchard settling for third at 217 after a 70.

Ronel Tagaan of Apo Golf shot a 71 for fourth at 218 while Manila Southwoods’ Josh Jorge rallied with a 70 to tie Orchard’s Kim Tae Soo, who fumbled with a 75, at 221 in the 19th staging of the event sponsored by the National Golf Association of the Philippines and backed by PacSports Phils., Inc., MegaFiber, Bedarra Holdings, Inc. and Aspire by Filinvest.

Abelar, meanwhile, carded a second 71 for a 142 and beat Laurea Duque from Alabang, who turned in a 74 for a 147, in their side of the duel in the annual tournament supported by MUST Consultancy and Emdee Chem Marketing Corp.

Quibol, who surged ahead after 36 holes with a gutsy 72, actually matched Cruz’s eagle-feat on the par-5 No. 11 to hold on to a two-shot lead.

But Cruz kept pressing his bid, birdying the par-3 No. 13 to pull within one then tied Quibol with another birdie on the 14th and sustained his hot charge with another feat on the next as the latter settled for three pars to fall behind.

With the pressure mounting, the two matched pars on the next and both bogeyed the par-3 17th before settling for pars at the closing par-5 18th, enabling Cruz to secure the coveted championship.