Thai prevails over Juvic by 3 strokes

LIPA CITY—Thanyakon Khrongpha of Thailand completed his third-round early yesterday with a 6-under-par 66 then roared to a three-shot win after an eagle-spiked 67 in the final 18 holes of the rain-interrupted $50,000 ICTSI-Mt. Malarayat Championship here.

The 21-year-old Thai, who won the Thailand and Malaysian Amateur titles last year, finished comfortably ahead of Juvic Pagunsan with a 15-under 273 total in the event serving as the second leg of the Asean Tour.

“I played really well. My only mistake was on the 16th where I hit my tee shot out of bounds,” said Thanyakon.

Pagunsan, who shared the first round lead with rookie teener Miguel Tabuena, fired a closing 69 for 276 that ended a two-tournament winning streak.

Thanyakon picked up $8,126 for the win while Pagunsan, who owns three wins in four legs on the local tour, settled for $5,616.

Antonio Lascuna fired a 71 and missed tying Pagunsan for second at 276 after an 18th hole bogey. The dusky 40-year-old from Davao settled for third place worth $3,151.

Tabuena, who won the silver medal in the last Asian Games, dropped three straight shots from No. 10 and wound up with a 72 for fourth spot, two strokes behind Lascuna at 279 for $2,551.

The Thai winner, who actually tied Lascuna for the lead with his 66, pulled away for good after a sizzling 31 on the front nine of his last round where he eagled the ninth hole to go with three early birdies.

Brothers Rufino and Jay Bayron wound up fifth and sixth, respectively, with Rufino shooting a 68 for 280 and $2,051, and Jay, who finished second to American Berry Henson in the recent Philippine Open, firing a 70 for 281.

The event was bankrolled by the International Container Terminal Services Inc. and backed by MJ Carr Golf Management, Inc., Srixon, Callaway, Unilab, Titleist, Sharp, Custom Clubmakers, PinoyGolfer.com, Inquirer Golf, A Round of Golf, Studio 23, Balls, and Dynamic Sports.