Benitez tops Sta. Lucia tour

MEXICO, Pampanga—Tomas Julio Benitez of Orchard closed with a four-over-par 74 in the final round Sunday to beat Eagle Ridge’s Jung Kyung-young by three strokes and bag the men’s Class A title of the Sta. Lucia Amateur Open Series at Beverly Place Golf Club.

Benitez, two off Rancho Palos Verdes’ Jerico Bajo overnight, birdied the ninth hole but struggled coming home to card nines of 34-40 and a 154 total.

Jung matched Benitez’s 74 and settled for 157 while Bajo limped home with an 83 for 161 and third place.

Riane Casquejo, also of Orchard, added an 83 to a first-round 75 for 158 to rule Class B, 14 shots clear of runner-up Walter Lacuesta of Summit Point (83-172) in the tournament sponsored by Wilcon Depot, Pomelo Tee, Davies Paints, Mizuno and Kang Ho Bong.

Jaime Tan Sr. of Palos Verdes topped seniors’ play with 156 after a 79, nipping Lee Tong-hwa (79-157) of Eagle Ridge who missed a five-foot playoff-forcing putt on the 18th.

Laia Barro churned out a 79 for 163 to nail the ladies Class A plum by four over Palos Verdes’ Maricel Kim (83-167).