Zaragosa, Agustin top JPGT Luzon finale

MANILA, Philippines — Precious Zaragosa secured the top spot in dominant fashion, gaining the confidence and momentum she needs as she heads into the highly anticipated ICTSI Junior Match Play Championships.

Zaragosa closed out the Luzon Series 7 at Sherwood Hills Golf Club on Thursday with a 77, clinching the girls’ 13-15 division title with a 54-hole total of 234, and solidifying her top ranking in her age category after the seven-leg Luzon series.

In what began as a close contest with Kendra Garingalao in intermittent rains, Zaragosa pulled away in the last nine holes, turning the fierce duel into a convincing nine-stroke victory.

Winner of previous legs at Splendido Taal and Luisita, Zaragosa’s consistency paid off, vaulting past twin sisters Liza and Mona Sarines in the final rankings.

Only the best four scores counted, and the top four players in each age division – including the 8-9, 10-12, and 16-18 groups – advanced to the Match Play Finals, set Oct. 1-4 at The Country Club in Laguna.

Levonne Talion, who did not compete this week along with the Sarines sisters, secured the last spot, while Alexie Gabi also advanced in the category through the multiple series format.

In boys’ 13-15 division, John Paul Agustin Jr. held on to sweep the final two legs of the series despite a late collapse, surviving Jose Carlos Taruc by just one stroke.

Agustin, who carded an 81, suffered a disastrous bogey-double bogey finish. Taruc, starting the final round five strokes behind, staged a thrilling rally, highlighted by an eagle-3 on No. 12.

However, the back-to-back winner at Riviera and Luisita faltered down the stretch.