Shin claims Manila Masters crown

Davao-based American Micah Lauren Shin won the Resorts World Manila Masters yesterday after beating Arnond Vongvanu of Thailand in a one-hole playoff at the Manila Southwoods.

Shin and Vongvanu closed out with identical 67s to finish the 72-hole regulation at 19-under par 269.

Miguel Tabuena had a chance to win the tournament outright, but his birdie putt from 30 feet, rimmed out of the hole and rested five feet away. He missed the par-saving putt to miss the playoff at 18under 270.

Also at 18-under was Thai Pachara Khongwatmai who had a 67 in the final round while Justin Quiban was the next best Filipino at 16-under after a 70.

Quiban was tied for fifth with Jyoti Randhawa of India who wound up with a 71.

Shin started the day with a double bogey and dropped another shot on the third hole, but caught fire with eight birdies the rest of the way, to get into the playoff.

Returning to the par-5, 18th hole for the playoff, Shin went for the green on his second shot, but found the greenside bunker.

Vongvanu found the rough on his tee shot and reached the green in regulation, eight feet away from the hole.

However, Shin made a brilliant bunker shot to within three feet for easy birdie and watched Vongvanu miss his own birdie try.

Tabuena was in contention to become the first Filipino winner of the event, recovering from a bogey on the second hole to register five birdies.

His last came on the 17th, needing just a birdie on the final hole to beat Shin and Vongvanu. The other Filipino finishers: Zanie Boy Gialon 71-282, Jay Bayron 68-284, Nilo Salahog 72-284, Frankie Minoza 74-284, Antonio Lascuna 70-285, Jobim Carlos 75-288, and Jerson Balasabas 74-295.