Tabuena outduels Bayron for 2nd title
BINANGONAN, Rizal—Teener Miguel Tabuena outgunned the veteran Jay Bayron in a final-round shootout with a two-under-par 70 and clinched the P1-million ICTSI Eastridge Classic crown by three for his second leg victory on the ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour.
Unlike in his come-from-behind triumph at ICTSI Splendido last March, Tabuena seized control early this time, using a two-shot swing on No. 3 to move on top. After carding a 34 at the turn, he hang tough at the back to beat Bayron and pick up another P200,000.
He finished with an eight-under 208 counting his 70 and 68 in the first two rounds.
Hobbled by a 38 after the first nine holes, Bayron limped home with a 73-211 in the tournament organized by the Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.
Sherwood Hills winner Elmer Salvador, Eagle Ridge champion Tony Lascuña and three-time Asian Tour winner Angelo Que also finished at five-under to tie Bayron for second place.
Salvador, who fired 68, moved within three of the pace with a birdie on No. 10 but never got closer while Lascuña cut the deficit to two with a birdie on the 17th only to settle for par on the last hole, which Tabuena birdied, for a 69.
Que rallied with a 33 to save a 69 and force a four-way tie for second worth P68,666 each.
His second victory in just five legs of the 16-stage Tour is expected to boost Tabuena’s confidence heading into the next stage at Manila Southwoods on June 27 to 30.
It was another final-round meltdown for Bayron, who blew a five-shot lead with a closing 77 and lost the Eagle Ridge crown by six shots to Lascuña.
Lascuña was also in yesterday’s championship flight, but Tabuena proved he was up to the challenge.
Marvin Dumandan, winner at John Hay, shot a 71 and finished solo sixth at 214 while Charles Hong, who skippered Team South’s romp over Team North in last week’s inaugural Duel—North vs South at Alabang, fired a 69 and tied last year’s champion Juvic Pagunsan, who matched par 72, for seventh at 215.
Mars Pucay, who shared the first round lead with Bayron, carded a 74 and ended up tied for ninth with Orlan Sumcad (71), Michael Bibat (72) and Rufino Bayron (73) at 216.
