Lascuña nips Tabuena with birdie-birdie finish

Antonio Lascuña birdied his last two holes to close out with a three-under-par 69 yesterday and nip Miguel Tabuena by a shot for the ICTSI Apo Golf Invitational crown, his first title of the season that aptly came at his home course in Davao.

The 47-year-old Lascuña tallied 280 over the tough, tree-lined layout where he learned the game to finally hoist a trophy again after winning five last season and ruling the Order of Merit race for the third straight year.

Tabuena, who needed an eagle on the 72nd to forge a playoff, settled for a closing 71 that left him a runner-up for the fourth time this season at 281.

Elmer Salvador dropped three shots in his last six holes and signed for a level 72, finishing four strokes off the pace at third after ruling the Riviera leg and settling for runner-up honors to Tabuena at Palos Verdes last week.

“It really is nice to win again,” Lascuña said in Filipino. “And what made it special is that it happened here in Davao. I hope this sparks some kind of a run for me for the rest of the year.”

Like the true gentleman that he is, Lascuña also paid tribute to Tabuena.

“Miguel is a solid, steady player,” said the Asian Tour veteran. “I was just lucky with that shot on No. 17.”

Lascuña was referring to a 7-iron tee shot on the 170-yard par-3 hole that landed just four feet from the cup for birdie. Then he two-putted for another bird on the par-5 18th.

Frankie Miñoza rebounded from an atrocious third round 79 by going 10 shots better, checking in at 286 for solo fourth, with Micah Shin, after an 80 also on Friday, firing a day-best 65 to finish another stroke back and complete the Top Five.