Solid finish nets Uy ICTSI Bacolod crown

MURCIA, Negros Occidental, Philippines — Daniella Uy clinched a riveting two-stroke victory over Chanelle Avaricio in a dramatic final-round shootout, showcasing nerves of steel and remarkable resilience to capture the ICTSI Bacolod Golf Challenge crown with a gutsy 68 here yesterday.

Uy nearly let slip her two-stroke edge with a costly double bogey on the par-4 15th, but she quickly regained her composure, delivering a clutch birdie on the next hole to re-take the lead. She then held firm with steady pars over the last two holes to seal her victory with an eight-under 202 total, securing the top prize of P117,000.

Avaricio, who needed a birdie on the final hole to force a playoff, faltered with a three-putt miscue for bogey, carding a 70 to finish two shots behind at 204, earning P82,000.

“It was a roller-coaster round,” said Uy, reflecting on her performance. “I bogeyed the first but bounced back with birdies. I also had several missed birdie chances, but I stayed focused.”

Despite the pressure, Uy said the excitement of the close battle kept her motivated. “There was pressure, but it felt more like excitement since it was such a tight match. It gave me confidence to hit the pin and sink those birdies.”

Meanwhile, Reymon Jaraula delivered a virtuoso performance on moving day in the men’s championship, with his flawless execution over 18 holes, including a pair of three-birdie streaks on both nines, catapulting him to a commanding three-shot lead over Jhonnel Ababa, solidifying his position at the top of the leaderboard at 14-under 196.

Ababa, hoping to redeem himself after a disappointing final round in Iloilo last week, mounted a respectable fightback with a 66, including a birdie on the closing par-3 hole, to grab solo second at 199, while Hyun Ho Rho fired a 67 for third at 200.