Lascuña strikes again, rules PGT South Pacific
TONY LASCUÑA turned in another virtuoso performance that foiled not just one or two but three rivals of varied skills and talents, closing out with a scorching backside assault for a course record-tying 66 and a three-stroke victory over Ira Alido in the ICTSI South Pacific Classic in Davao on Saturday.
One stroke behind Michael Bibat, Clyde Mondilla and Alido after 54 holes, Lascuña played with so much confidence and poise of a veteran campaigner, flashing solid drives, superb iron play and putting that produced seven birdies, including four in the decisive stretch that turned what had appeared to be a tight finish into another romp.
“I played a superb game, especially at the back. But I just want to think that this (tournament) is really mine. This (victory) is so sweet,” said Lascuña, who punched the air with his left hand after holing out and hugging his five-yearold son Antonio III as he completed a 12-under 276 total worth another P550,000 he received from Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. executive director Narlene Soriano.
Lascuña, who dominated practically the same field at Apo which he also won by three over Fil- German Keanu Jahns last week, sizzled early with three birdies against a bogey at the front but it was not until he rolled in another birdie from short range on the 10th that he caught up with Bibat at nine-under overall. He then stormed ahead for good with back-to-back birdies from No. 12 in second-to-last flight, a charge that the erstwhile leaders had failed to match, enabling the Davaoeño ace to close out the milestone 10th season of the Philippine Golf Tour with back-toback victories.
Make it three as the former threetime PGT Order of Merit winner, who struggled in the early going of the Tony Lascuña flashes the No. 3 sign after nailing his third straight victory with another three-shot romp at ICTSI South Pacific Classic.
double-bogeyed the 17th, limping with a 73 for third at 282 for joint third with American Lexus Keoninh, who matched Lascuña’s backside four-birdie binge to fire a 67. Each got P190,000.
Reeling back with a one- over card at the front, Mondilla bounced back with a birdie on No. 12 but the reigning Philippine Open champion dropped two strokes in the last six and hobbled with a 74, ending up at joint fifth at 283 with Kei Matsuoka ( 69) and fellow Japanese Ryo Nishimura ( 70) and Depilo ( 71).
Ferdie Aunzo shot a 70 as he tied for ninth with Richard Sinfuego, who matched par 72, at 284 in the event backed by Custom Clubmakers, Meralco, Champion, Summit Mineral Water, K&G Golf Apparel, BDO, Sharp, KZG, PLDT and M.Y. Shokai Technology.