Tambalque guts out a 70 to win by six strokes in Bacolod

Patrick Tambalque carved out a level-par 70 on Thursday to post a six-shot win over Simon Wahing in the centerpiece boys’ 16-18 division of the ICTSI Junior Philippine Golf Tour (PGT) Visayas Series even as Dominique Gotiong fought off fourth round fatigue to prevail in the girls’ side at Bacolod Golf Club in Murcia town.

Tambalque credited his patient approach over the tree-lined layout in fending off Wahing, as he tallied a 72-hole 287 to earn valuable points for the national finals, a match play event, set in October at The Country Club in Laguna.

“It’s a good learning experience. I learned how to be patient—even if I made a mistake, there is still a chance to recover,” the 16-year-old Tambalque said.

Tambalque was locked in a heated race with Wahing and twin brothers Paul and Rey Oro in the first two rounds, only to find separation from the trio on Wednesday after shooting the tournament’s only sub-par score, a 69.

Wahing’s challenge ended with a triple bogey 8 on No. 15.

Meanwhile, Gotiong struggled to close out with an 86, but still prevailed by a whopping 18 shots over Iloilo leg winner Rhiena Sinfuego, who shot at 87.

“I played really bad because I was tired,” she admitted, her voice tinged with fatigue. “But I’m proud of what I did because I tried my best even though I wasn’t feeling well.”