Birthday boy Paez nails maiden PGT triumph

MANOLO FORTICH, BUKIDNON—American Nicolas Paez gifted himself a big birthday present Saturday after ruling the ICTSI Del Monte Championship by two on a closing three-under 69 here.

It was Paez’s maiden victory in the Philippine Golf Tour.

He survived the challenge of Kim Joo Hyung and Tony Lascuña in a pressure-packed frontside duel then fended off a slew of rivals, including Lee Song and James Ryan Lam, at the finish to rule the P3 million championship at Del Monte Golf Club.

Paez seized the lead with a tap-in birdie on the ninth then hit three more birdies against another bogey at the back to thwart at least three other bidders with a 10-under 278 total.

Lee, a joint leader in the first two days, was tied with Paez at nine-under overall heading to the 72nd hole. But the young Korean bogeyed the par-5 18th for the second straight day in a flight ahead and finished with a 71.

Unmindful of Lee’s final-hole mishap, Paez still went for a birdie on the 18th and buried a six-footer to ice his victory in the P3-million tournament.

“I played consistently, especially at the back and it’s good I made it,” said Paez, who turned 29 on Saturday. “I didn’t expect to win because Kim and Tony were good. Maybe the honor was meant for me.”