Fiery windup nets Carlos 4-shot Apo win

DAVAO — Jobim Carlos turned in another blistering finish reminiscent of his recent breakthrough win at Riviera, birdying three of the last seven holes to shoot a 68 and beat Elmer Salvador and Albin Engino by four in the ICTSI Apo Golf Invitational here yesterday.

Pressed by local ace Salvador after nine holes, Carlos rode on a clutch two-shot (birdie-bogey) swing on the par-4 12th then birdied the par-5 No. 13 from four feet to build a three-stroke cushion he preserved with gutsy pars and another birdie on the closing par-5 hole.

He wound up with a 68 in a remarkable recovery by the 25-year-shotmaker who wobbled with 73 in the third round that enabled Salvador, Mars Pucay and Nilo Salahog to force a four-way tie for the lead and a host of others to stay within striking distance heading to the final 18 holes of the P3 million championship.

But Carlos turned it into an anti-climactic ending with a scorching finish.

Though Pucay and the rest of the contenders reeled back with shaky frontside stints, Salvador kept in step with Carlos until he stumbled with that costly missed green bogey on No. 12 and Carlos came through with that key birdie from a putter’s length.

“I played good. I think this (tournament) is really meant for me,” said Carlos, who also rallied with three birdies in the last six holes for a 67 in the final round to edge another Davaoeño ace Tony Lascuña by two and record his maiden win at PGT Asia at Riviera three weeks ago.