MANILA – Patrick Tambalque delivered a final-round 78 Friday to capture the boys’ 15-18 crown in the ICTSI Junior Philippine Golf Tour (JPGT) Championships at Caliraya Springs Golf Club in Cavinti, Laguna.
Despite holding a six-stroke lead over Zachary Villaroman after 36 holes, Tambalque stayed focused in the final round to finish with a 208 total.
“It was a bit of a struggle on the front nine. I just wasn’t feeling it. But I gained momentum after a birdie on No. 11. I started sinking a lot of solid putts from about one to two-pin lengths,” Tambalque, who also won the Splendido Taal leg, said in a news release.
“I wasn’t sure how things would turn out, even with the lead. I just kept my expectations in check and stuck to my game plan,” he added.
Kristoffer Nadales fired a bogey-free 66 to finish second with a 217 total. His late surge sent Villaroman and John Paul Agustin Jr. to third and fourth with 75-219 and 75-224, respectively.
In the girls’ division, Rafa Anciano overturned a four-shot deficit at the start of the final round to claim victory with a 74 for a 54-hole total of 241.
Levonne Talion, the Eagle Ridge leg champion, carded a 78 for a 244 to finish second followed by Chloe Rada (86-249) and Tiffany Bernardino (83-252).
“Starting the round with a birdie was the best way to get going. Even though I was four shots behind, I knew I could make a comeback. I’ve played well on this course before, and I felt confident that my game — and all the work I’ve put into it — was ready to show,” Anciano, back-to-back winner at Sherwood Hills and Splendido Taal, said.
“Winning for the third time feels amazing. I was really excited to play here at Caliraya Springs. It’s a beautiful course. To win here is very special. I didn’t expect to play well, especially after feeling under the weather in the first round. But I managed to fight through it, and I’m really proud of myself for that,” she added.
Tambalque and Anciano virtually secured their spots to the JPGT Elite Junior Finals, where the top four players from each of the three age divisions will face off against the best from the Visayas-Mindanao leg in a highly anticipated North vs. South showdown, set Sept. 30 to Oct. 2 at The Country Club in Laguna. (Jean Malanum/PNA)
