Junior PGT at Pueblo down-to-the-wire

CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines — Eliana Dumalaog won a thrilling three-way battle for the girls’ 10-12 title, needing two extra holes to secure her win in the ICTSI Junior PGT Mindanao Series 4 at Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country Club here yesterday.

Meanwhile, Jared Saban staged a stunning come-from-behind victory in the boys’ 10-12 category.

Dumalaog appeared poised to seal the victory in regulation but faltered with a double-bogey on the final hole (No. 9) for an 80. This allowed Rafella Batican and Isabella Espina, who both carded 79s, to catch up, forcing a three-way tie at 161.

But it was Dumalaog who prevailed, sinking a 15-foot birdie putt on the second playoff hole while her opponents missed.

“I was so nervous; my legs and hands were shaking during the playoff. But after I hit my drive, I felt pretty good,” said the 10-year-old Dumalaog.

Despite her victory, Dumalaog narrowly missed qualifying for the Match Play Championship, having only managed fifth-place finishes in her previous outings at South Pacific and Del Monte.