Zaragosa zooms ahead by 7 shots
TRECE Martirez, Cavite—Rupert Zaragosa talked with a lot of caution with a three-shot lead Friday. After a third round six-under-par 66 yesterday, the pint-sized Canlubang ace now admits he’s close to completing his collection of national titles.
“In a way, yes,” Zaragosa said when asked if he could smell a victory in the NGAP’s Philippine Amateur Closed championship after pulling away by seven strokes following a second straight eagle-spiked round at Sherwood Hills here.
“But I would still have to play well in the final round (today),” added the 15-year-old. “I can’t take my pursuers for granted, they’re all very talented. I can’t take the golf course for granted. I need to play well, still.”
Article continues after this advertisementZaragosa gunned down six birdies and an eagle in his first 16 holes before stumbling with two closing bogeys to settle for a 206 aggregate, seven shots ahead of Fil-American Rico Hoey, who assembled a 70, in the event presented by the MVP Sports Foundation as part of the PLDT Group Amateur Tour.
A lip-out for par from about four feet on the 17th and a three-putt on the final green prevented the crack amateur Zaragosa from equaling the course record of 64 set by young pro Miguel Tabuena a few months back in the ICTSI Tour.
Lloyd Jefferson Go, the Cebu Country Club star in the PAL Interclub, zoomed to third after a 71, but still trailed by 13 strokes. Two off Go was Jonathan Delos Reyes, the second Fil-American recruited by the NGAP for the Putra Cup, who fired a 73.
Article continues after this advertisementJobim Carlos, the fourth member of the PH team, stumbled with a 76 and was tied with lefty Andres Saldana, who fired a 75, at 224, a stroke behind Basti Lorenzo, a junior team candidate who matched par.
Bianca Pagdanganan regained control in women’s play after assembling a 70 for a three-stroke lead over Regina De Guzman at 219. De Guzman, who will spearhead the women’s Putra Cup team together with Simone Hoey, fired a 73. Hoey fired a 75 to trail by seven shots in the event also backed by Pancake House, Nike, Golf Depot and Pacsports.
