KIM IN JAE turned back an early challenge by Rupert Zaragosa and coasted to a three-stroke victory despite a two-over 74 while Dottie Ardina stormed to an eight-shot romp in the ladies side with a 68 in the 13th Canlubang Amateur Open at the north course of the Canlubang Golf and Country Club in Laguna yesterday.
Kim saw his second round six-shot lead reduced to four after Zaragosa made a par-birdie start, but the Korean ace from Eagle Ridge settled down with and held sway the rest of the way despite a closing 38.
He wound up with a 214, beating Zaragosa, who shot a 71, by three in the 54-hole Championship Division of the tournament that served as part of the Globe Business Amateur Golf Circuit.
Zaragosa, the former national and junior champion, nipped fellow club bet Joey Huerve, who also had a 71, in the countback for runner-up honors after both ended up with 217s in the event backed by Pancake House and sanctioned by the National Golf Association of the Phils.
Unlike Kim, Ardina hardly encountered trouble in annexing the ladies crown disputed over 36 holes as she strung up 35-33 to rout the field and add the title to her Taiwan Amateur plum she won two weeks ago.
The top ICTSI-The Country Club bet, who set the tone of the rout with a 67 Thursday, finished with a 135, eight shots ahead of teammate Princess Superal, who carded a 71 for a 143. Bianca Pagdanganan rallied with a 70 to snatch third place at 146.
Clare Ann Legaspi of Ayala Greenfield rebounded with a 71 to tie reigning Santi Cup individual winner Jayvie Agojo, who matched par 72, and Hong Kong Amateur Open champion Cyna Rodriguez, who made a 75, for fourth at 148.
Riviera’s Kim Ji Young wound up seventh at 151 after a 76 while Valley Golf’s Daniella Uy shot a 74 for a 152 in a tie with Sarah Ababa, who turned in a 75, in the event backed by Pacsports Phils., ICTSI, Golfworx, Greenlink Trading, Nature Spring Mineral Water, Lipovitan, Coca-Cola, San Miguel Corp., Pepsi Cola, Peerless Products-Champion Detergent and Whealth Inc.
King Stehmeier of Orchard topped Class A with a 141 after a 70, beating Dennis Gonzales of Royal Northwoods (77-151) while Paolo Olives of Cangolf took the net crown with a 139 after a 68, edging Moon Jae Hyeong, who had a 67 for a 141.
Carlo Quimson of Cangolf took the Class B plum with a 151 after a 76, five shots ahead of Alfred dela Peña of Ayala Greenfield, who had two 78s and a 156 while Mike Campos scored two 64s and a 128 to clinch the net title over Frankie delos Santos, who had a 133 after a 66.
Tom Trinidad copped the Class C title with two 84s for a 166, winning by five over Jun Aleta, who had a 171 after an 85, while Arnold Policarpio took the net crown with a 115 after a 55, seven shots ahead of Ronald Castro, who made a 59 for a 122.