Catalan, Lim lead Jr Masters champs

JOHN Catalan birdied the second extra hole to subdue Harry Sytiongsa for the boys’ Class A (15-17) crown even as Ericka Lim completed a remarkable run in girls’ play of the Philippine Golf Foundation Junior Masters yesterday at Alabang GCC in Muntinlupa.

The 17-year-old Catalan, a sophomore nursing student of University of Santo Tomas, canned his birdie putt from six feet on the 20th hole to finally put away Sytiongsa.

The Cebu-based Sytiongsa forged sudden death with a par on the 18th as Catalan bogeyed the hole.

“It’s overwhelming to finally win,” said Catalan, whose best finish was third place in an international jungolf tournament in Guam a few years ago.

Lim stunned two higher-seeded rivals on her way to her first crown.

The 16-year-old Cebuana, who upset No. 2 seed Daniella Uy in the semifinals, crushed No. 1 Pamela Mariano, 6 and 4, in the girls’ Class A finals.

Dan Cruz nipped Nikolo Gatmaytan, 2 and 1, to rule boys’ Class B (13-14), while Anika Cedo bested Lois Kaye Go, 3 and 2, in the girls’ final.

The Junior Worlds-bound Cedo won holes Nos. 10 to 12 to pull away.

Philippine Junior Golf Foundation president Luigi Tabuena, who was joined by PGF director Alex Prieto in handing out the trophies to the winners, said the champions of Classes A and B will be sent to Thailand to participate in the Singha World Juniors.

In other results, Annyka Cayabyab routed Mikaela Arroyo, 6 and 4, to claim the girls’ Class D (9-10) title; Josh Jorge beat Jolo Magcalayo, 2 and 1 for the boys’ title; Junia Gabasa nipped Ashia Nocum, 1-up, for the girls’ Class C title and Ira Alido bested Gau Wei-yu, 4 and 2, in boy’s play.