Rupert Zaragosa settled for fourth place despite a 1-under-par 71 Friday in the IMG Academy Junior World golf championships at the Torrey Pines south that ended Friday (Saturday in Manila) in San Diego, California.
It was the country’s best finish in the boys’ 15-17 years division in 29 years since Carito Villaroman, now a teaching pro, won it back-to-back in 1985-86.
Zaragosa totaled 289, four strokes off the winning 285 of Chile’s Joaquin Niemann.
Niemann shot a 70 for 285, beating Shahith Theegala of California (71) just by one with another Californian Norman Xiong checking in third at 288 after a 73.
It was a fitting farewell stint in the Junior World for Zaragosa, one of the 12 players flown to Los Angeles for free by national carrier Philippine Airlines, who also won the boys’ 11-12 years division in 2010.
There were 207 players who joined this age group of the annual event participated in by 58 countries and 46 states from the host nation.
Abby Arevalo was the best Filipino finisher in the girls’ 15-17 won by Japanese Nasa Hataoka. Her closing 73 gave her a share of 17th at 299. Hataoka shot a 70 for 278.
Pauline del Rosario tied for 25th with her 78-302 and LK Go shared 33rd with her 77-304.
Venice Tiamsic, third placer in the girls’ 6 and under, was the best finisher among the 38 bets sent here by the Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines and also sponsored by ICTSI Sports, Friends of Jungolf and Cleanpak.
The top finishers in the boys’ 15-17 years.
1. J. Niemann, Chile 70-285
2. S. Theegala, Chino Hills, 71-286
3. N. Xiong, Canyon Lake, CA 73-288
4. R. Zaragoza, Philippines 71-289
5. A. Arasu, San Diego, CA 75-290
6. C. Yu, Clermont, FL 65-291
T7. K. Suppa, Honolulu, HI 70-292
T7. S. Tibbits, Vancouver, WA 72-292
T7. P. Chaplet, Costa Rica74-292