Lua, Granada champs in inaugural ITT golf

MANILA, Philippines — Julia Lua of La Salle-1 picked up right where she left off while College of St. Benilde-1’s Sean Granada recovered from a last-hole miscue to edge La Salle-1’s Zachary Castro in sudden death in contrasting victories in the finals of the inaugural ICTSI Intercollegiate Tour at the Summit Point Golf and Country Club in Lipa, Batangas yesterday.

While Lua coasted to a four-stroke victory over CSB-1’s Natasha Bantug despite a 96 for a 181, Granada squandered a three-shot lead with three holes to play but regained his composure when it mattered most, clinching the crown with a routine par on the first playoff hole at the par-4 18th.

Granada, who dominated the Splendido Taal leg under stormy conditions, had earlier three-putted the final hole to finish with a 73, enabling Castro, who drilled in a 12-foot birdie putt for a 71, to force a playoff at 146.

In sudden death, Castro – the Pradera Verde leg winner – hit an errant drive and reached the green in four. He then missed a four-foot bogey putt before picking up Granada’s marker, effectively conceding the match.

Granada, who had putted for birdie from the same spot in regulation, rolled his putt to within a foot of the cup to seal the win.

La Salle-2’s Arvin Ong also rallied with a 73 to claim the bronze at 151, edging out UP-1’s Miggy Roque and La Salle-1’s Miguel Fusilero, who faltered with rounds of 75 and 76, respectively, in the countback.

After days of rain and stormy conditions that threatened to derail the championship, the sun finally broke through, bathing the par-72 course in light and setting the stage for a grand finale.