Gialon holds off Hong, tops ICTSI Northwoods

ZANNIE Boy Gialon kept his composure in the closing holes yesterday to finish with a 2-under-par 70 and turn back a hard-charging Charles Hong for the ICTSI Royal Northwoods Championship in San Rafael, Bulacan.

The 25-year-old Gialon parred the last two holes and wound up with a 12-under 204 total and the P270,000 champion’s purse in the event that was reduced to 54 holes after rain wiped out the third round on Friday.

Hong picked up five shots in his last seven holes for a 67 to finish at 205 after a rally from four shots behind at the start of the day with Rufino Bayron closing with a 68 for third another two shots back.

“I just hung in there and aimed for pars in the last two holes,” Gialon said in Filipino. “I am very happy, obviously. It’s been two years since I last won.”

It was the third victory for Gialon, and his first since winning his first two in his rookie season in 2012. The win was also his second weather-shortened triumph after his victory at Marapara when the third round was also called off and his tie with Antonio Lascuña was broken via a sudden death playoff.

Mark Fernando, who like Gialon and Bayron are products of the defunct National Caddies’ Open program of former National Golf Association of the Philippines president Tommy Manotoc, fired a 71 for 208.

Chris Delos Santos and Dutchman Guido Van Der Valk carved out 68s for 209 and 211, respectively.

Elmer Saban was the only one in the Top 10 who failed to crack par in the final day, his 73 putting him in a tie with Van Der Valk.

While his pursuers tried to press their respective bids under the lift, clean and place rule, Gialon played it safe throughout, settling for  pars while cashing in on every birdie opportunities.

Starting the round three shots ahead, he pulled away from Fernando by five at the turn and seven ahead of Hong after 11 holes.

But he needed to overcome pressure on the backside of the final round that fired off late to allow the fairways and greens to dry up a bit following the onslaught  of Tropical Storm “Mario” Friday.

Hong, who drilled in a birdie from 32 feet out on the final hole to close within one, settled for P185,000.

Bayron, who topped an international field to score his maiden win in the Asian Development Tour’s ICTSI Orchard Championship, also rallied with three birdies in the last six holes to  and snatch third place at 207 worth P105,000.