Frankie Miñoza bags title

MANILA, Philippines—Frankie Miñoza feels the fabled Wack Wack east course still brings out the best in him.

The revered shotmaker from Bukidnon rallied from seven strokes down then secured a routine par on the second extra hole to come out on top of a three-man playoff Friday and clinch the P2.5 million ICTSI Wack Wack Championship.

“This is Wack Wack. Winning here is always special for me,” said the 51-year-old Miñoza, who shot a two-under 70 in the final round to join the three-man playoff at 215 with Rufino Bayron, who also closed out with a 70, and Elmer Saban, who carded a 75.

“This is big for me. I didn’t expect to win here because there are many young good players. But Wack Wack is a course that even if you lead by 10 shots, you are still not sure of winning,” added the former No. 1 Miñoza, who pocketed the champion’s purse of P450,000.

The three-man playoff in the final leg of this year’s Tour materialized after Ferdie Aunzo, who led the first two rounds with identical 69s, blew his title hopes away after an 82.

Showing vintage form, Minoza pitched from 20 yards to within a foot of the cup for an easy par putt on the second playoff hole and Saban was left in despair after missing an eight-footer for par.

“It was a good lie and as soon as I hit it, I knew it was almost perfect,” Miñoza said.

Bayron was eliminated after the first playoff hole when his approach on the 18th went out of bounds.

Charles Hong shot a 71 for a 217 total to finish in a three-way tie for third place with Guido Van Der Valk and Cassius Casas, while Anthony Fernandez was a stroke back with a 218 after another 71.

In a stunning collapse, Aunzo, who led by two going into the final round, wound up in a tie for eighth at 220 with Tony Lascuña, Michael Bibat, Randy Garalde and Artemio Murakami.

With Aunzo and Joenard Rates unable to deal with the strong winds, the door was left open for Saban, who bogeyed the 17th and needed a par on No. 18 to join the playoff.

The P320,000 prize for the second placer was the biggest for the 34-year-old Davaoeño.

The scores: 215 F. Miñoza 72-73-70, E. Saban 74-66-75, R. Bayron 74-71-70; 217 C. Hong 74-72-71, G. Van Der Valk 74-71-72, F. Casas 74-70-73; 218 A. Fernando 74-73-71; 220 A. Lascuna 220 71-77-72, M. Bibat 74-73-73, R. Garalde 77-69-74, A. Murakami 75-70-75, F. Aunzo 69-69-82; 221 R. Pactolerin 75-73-73, E. Salvador 70-76-75, M. Dizon 72-72-77, J. Rates 70-70-81; 222 G. Bondoc 75-74-73; 223 R. La’O 75-73-75, M. Tabuena 73-73-77; 224 E. Quiachon 78-72-74, R. Sinfuego 73-78-73, G. Rosales 78-72-74; R. Marabe 72-77-75; J. Ababa 73-72-79.