No formality for Zaragosa at Marapara

Players and caddies return to the clubhouse. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

The final round of the P2.5-million ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic was called off on Friday because of unforgiving rains that made the Marapara layout unplayable, as Rupert Zaragosa missed the formality of putting away his second career win as a pro.

“It would’ve been nice to finish the full 72 holes, but considering how unplayable the course became, I understand the decision,” Zaragosa said in Filipino as he and the 41 other survivors watched the first three flights make their way back to the clubhouse. “I was ready to compete in the final 18, but I’m just as thrilled to win this way.”

The organizing Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. has shortened the tournament to 54 holes on Wednesday when the second round failed to finish as Severe Tropical Storm “Kristine” started battering the country. It was forced to cancel the third round on Friday as fairways and bunkers on a lot of holes were flooded.

Zaragosa, who completed his second round on Wednesday with a birdie in his last six holes for a four-under-par 66 and a 134 total, has now won one title in each of the last two seasons, with the first coming at age-old Sta. Barbara in Iloilo last year, something he considers “more memorable” with 72 holes completed.

The P450,000 prize money he won will come in handy as he takes aim at securing full Asian Tour status before the year ends.

Antonio Lascuña and Reymon Jaraula, who ended the second round on Wednesday six shots behind Zaragosa, settled for a tie for second, with a six-man group led by first-round leader Michael Bibat finishing tied for fourth another shot back.

Up next is the lucrative Match Play championship set at The Country Club next month.