Zaragosa nails first pro win
ILOILO CITY — Rupert Zaragosa completed a wire-to-wire victory in the ICTSI Iloilo Golf Challenge presented by MORE Power, closing with a one-over-par 71 at the Iloilo Golf and Country Club in Sta. Barbara on Saturday.
It was the worst score for the 25-year-old former prodigy but it hardly mattered after opening the day with an eight-shot lead.
“I’m very happy about my first win,” said Zaragosa, his shirt drenched with sweat and water. “This win is for my family and loved ones.”
On hand to greet Zaragosa on the 18th green was his girlfriend Pamela Mariano and fellow pros Jerson Balasabas and Albin Engino who doused him with water.
The nine-shot victory ended a string of come-from-behind triumphs that marked the start of both the men’s and women’s tours.
Whatever hopes his pursuers were nursing were quickly dashed when Zaragosa birdied 4 and 6. He parred the next six holes and countered a bogey on 13 with a birdie on 14.
Zaragosa had the luxury of closing his round with three bogeys.
What made the day interesting was the exciting battle for second place won by Tony Lascuña whose back-to-back birdies from 12 helped cushion a double bogey on 15 and a bogey on 16.
“I’m so tired. I’m happy to finish second,” Lascuña said who carded a 70 for 4-under overall.
Guido van der Valk turned in a 73 and finished on 3-under, his round marred by back-to-back double bogeys from 16.
“I’ve always thought Rupert is a good golfer,” Van der Valk said.
Only three other players finished under par after 72 holes.
Jhonnel Ababa climbed to a share of fourth place with Sean Jean Ramos on 2-under while Balasabas wound up on 1-under.
Ababa fired a 65, Ramos shot a 67 and Balasabas matched Zaragosa’s third-round 63.
Alone in seventh on even par was Jay Bayron who checked in on 72.
Engino and Richard Sinfuego were tied on 1-over after similar 70s while Michael Bibat rounded out the Top 10 on 2-over following a 73.
The tour takes a three-week break before it returns on 17 April at the Caliraya Springs Golf
Club in Cavinti, Laguna.