Kim rules Sta. Lucia series wire-to-wire
DAVAO—Brian Kim finished with his worst score of 5-over-par 77, but it hardly mattered as no one from the championship division came close to challenging him for the title in the Sta. Lucia Amateur Series’ elimination stage at the Rancho Palos Verdes Golf and Country Club.
The 27-year-old bet from Eagle Ridge closed out with a 54-hole total of 221, six strokes up on his closest rival, and qualified for the Tournament of Champions, the final event at the Beverly Place Golf Club set Aug. 27 to 29.
Jelbert Gamolo finished runner up with a 227 after a 76.
Kim salvaged a 39 going to the outward nine after bouncing back from a triple bogey 8 and a bogey start in the first two holes.
He will be in a tough battle at Beverly Place with local ace Rupert Zaragosa and Korean Park Min-ung also in the field seeking a slot in the Hong Kong Amateur Open.
Rancho Palos Verdes’ Jerico Bajo used his extensive course knowledge in scoring 77 and 79 for 156 and topped Class A.
The other winners were Kang Ho Bong 168 (84-84) in Class B, Maricel Kim 163 (80-83) in Ladies-A and Jaime Tan Sr. 148 (74-74).
