Serdenia, Talion share top honors at Eagle Ridge

Charles Serdenia broke away from Shinichi Suzuki and Levonne Talion rallied mightily to rule the centerpiece 15-18 categories of the ICTSI Junior PGT Championship recently at Eagle Ridge Golf and Country Club’s Norman course.

Serdenia turned what had been a tight duel with the national team member Suzuki into an authoritative win after a hot front nine, with a closing one-over-par 73 for 227 good for a two-shot win in the boys’ division.

Suzuki, the 6-foot-3 prospect playing out of Manila Southwoods, birdied the 18th for a 74 even as Talion erased an eight-stroke deficit to Rafa Anciano at the start of the final round, with a 79 putting her level at 252 after regulation with Anciano shooting an 87 capped by a three putt on the 54th hole.

Playoff victory

Talion won it on the second hole of sudden death with a par, as Anciano’s approach was way long and ended up under the trees.

“This is one of the few tournaments I’ve played in the 15-18 division, and it’s really a great achievement for me to win,” Talion said. “I’m proud that I was able to catch up from eight strokes down.”

Serdenia and Talion join the list of winners from the first Luzon leg, including 7-10 age group topnotchers Zach Guico and Mavis Espedido, and Ryuji Suzuki and Lisa Sarines, who reigned in the 11-14 division.

Both also earned world ranking points at the event for the 15-18 division, which served as a counting tournament for the World Amateur Golf Ranking.