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.
Article continues after this advertisement“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.
Article continues after this advertisement“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.
