Second 65 nets Santos-Ocampo Midlands crown

TAGAYTAY, Philippines – Carl Santos-Ocampo ended a year-long wait for a second crown in a record of sorts – posting a second straight seven-under 65 to overwhelm Tony Lascuña and clinch the ICTSI Midlands crown with a whopping six-stroke victory at the Midlands layout here yesterday.

Santos-Ocampo rattled off four birdies in the first six holes to turn a shaky one-stroke lead over the reigning Order of Merit champion into a comfortable three-shot cushion at the turn then added three more birdies at the back to duplicate his 32-33 card the previous round and whip the star-studded field.

Counting his opening 70, the Fil-Am shotmaker finished with a 54-hole haul of 16-under 200 to outclass Lascuna, who tried – and failed – to match his explosive start with a 34 before closing out with a 36 and a 70 for a 10-under 206.

“It’s an amazing feeling to get the job done this week especially against the top Asian Tour Filipino players,” said Santos-Ocampo after pocketing the top P200,000 purse during awards rites graced by ICTSI Public Relations head Narlene Soriano, Tagaytay Highlands International Golf Club Inc. general manager Claire Kramer and THIGC senior sales manager Michelle Kloo. (FREEMAN)