Huge P3.6-M payoff for Que in Japan tilt

Angelo Que FILE PHOTO

Filipino Angelo Que lost his bid for a first title in Japan but made himself richer by 10 million yen (about P3.6 million) by placing second after a playoff in the ISPS Handa Global Cup at Vintage Golf Club in Yamanashi, Japan, on Sunday.

Que, a three-time winner on the Asian Tour but a relative newcomer in the tougher and more lucrative Japan Tour, birdied the 72nd hole to cap a sizzling seven-under-par 64 and match the 270 total of Japanese veteran Toshinori Muto, who closed out with a 68.

But the top Filipino shotmaker lost to the Japanese in the ensuing sudden death, failing to match the eventual winner’s birdie on the playoff hole.

It was the strongest windup for Que so far in four stints this season on the Japan Tour.

He also moved up to 24th from 86th in the Tour’s money list with aggregate earnings of 11,985,475 yen (about P4.3 million).

Que finished ahead of the flamboyant Ian Poulter, who tied for fourth after a 69 and a 272 total.

South Korea’s Kim Hyung-sung finished off a 67 with an eagle on the last hole to seize third place on 271, failing to join the playoff by just one shot.

Setting out just four shots off joint 54-hole leaders Muto, Ryu Hyun-woo of South Korea and another Japanese, Azuma Yano, Que picked up four shots on the first 10 holes to move within two of Muto and Ryu, and then caught the fading Muto with three birdies from the 14th.

Ryu eventually closed with a 70 and wound up fourth on 272 while Yano ballooned to a 73 and tied for 16th on 275.

The Filipino opened with a 70 and then shot consecutive 68s in the next two rounds to join a 10-man logjam for 10th place with just a round to play Saturday. Japan  Tour News