Ramos holds sway and breaks through

Sean Ramos celebrates maiden pro triumph. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Using another hot front nine to open his round, Sean Ramos on Friday fired a five-under-par 67 to rule the ICTSI Lakewood Championship for his first win on the Philippine Golf Tour carved out against some of the circuit’s best and seasoned players.

Protecting a one-shot lead to start the final round, Ramos drained four of his five birdies in a six-hole span starting on No. 3, before picking up a clutch shot on No. 16 that snuffed out the challenge put up by Reymon Jaraulla for an eventual 270 tally and a two-shot win.

“I can’t put into words how I feel right now,” the 20-year-old Ramos, who had several flings with a win in this young season, said. “This victory means so much to me after coming close several times before.”

Jaraulla also had a 67, but will look back at a bogey on the 16th as his downfall, even as Antonio Lascuña closed out with a 69 to finish third three strokes behind.

Ramos’ week was made in the first nine holes of the well-manicured layout, where he shot a total of 16 total birdies without a single bogey on all four days. He was also bogey-less in the final two rounds, the only player to do so.

“I handled the pressure well and enjoyed every moment of the competition,” added Ramos, also a contender at Palos Verdes and the Philippine Masters at Villamor. “I played strategically.”

Japan’s Ozeki Kakeru fired a 68 to finish a stroke behind Lascuña, with Art Arbole returning a day-best 66 to salvage fifth, seven strokes off the champion.