Aidric Chan gave Philippine golf one of its worthiest achievements in months by winning the Lexus Challenge in the Asian Development Tour held in Vietnam.
Chan, one of the country’s rising male stars, shot a final round 4-under-par 67 to beat a trio of challengers, including countryman Juvic Pagunsan, in a tight contest to win the winner’s prize of $15,700.
Pagunsan, a talented but eccentric character who routinely perplexes peers and local golf organizers, took a share of second place, one stroke behind, after matching Chan’s 67.
Chan and Pagunsan were engaged in a thrilling battle in the final round as both, playing in the penultimate flight, erased a three-shot deficit and were tied for the lead with one hole left.
But Chan won their personal battle with a par as Pagunsan bogeyed the 18th. Chan finished at 8-under-par 205.
Final round leaders Filip Lundell and Sam Broadhurst shot even par 71s and shared second with Pagunsan at 206.
“I feel really great, I hit a lot of good shots today and had a lot of luck,” said Chan, who posted his first international win.
Chan’s victory pushed him into third in the ADT Order Of Merit, behind Pagunsan in second and leader Tawit Polthai who won the opening event of the season – the PKNS Selangor Masters – in January. Pakistan’s Ahmad Baig, who won on home soil at the ADT Rumaza Open last month, is in fourth place.
The ADT continues in Taiwan in a few weeks, where the US$100,000 Ambassador ADT event will be held at the Hsin Feng Country Club from May 29 – June 1.
MIGUEL TABUENA tied 14th after 67 at The International Series Macau
Miguel Tabuena, arguably the country’s top international player, had to settle for a tie for 14th place in the $2 million International Series Macau on Sunday after firing a three-under-par 67.
It was still a nice ending after a promising start that was derailed by his two-over-par 72 in the third round, his worst score in the tournament. Earlier, he shot 64 to finish second in the first round, a 69 in the second round, good for fifth place. But after his 72, he dropped to tie 20th place heading to the final round.
His 270 total, 10-under-par, was 12 strokes behind Carlos Ortiz of Mexico, 22 under, who outdueled former Masters champion Patrick Reed, 19 under, to capture the title after a sparkling final round six-under-par 64.
Reed, who led or co-led the tournament for three rounds, shot a three-under-par 67 to take solo second while American Jason Kokrak , 15 under, took third also after a 67.
The event is the second stop on The International Series – 10 elevated events on the Asian Tour that provide a pathway on to the LIV Golf League.
RIANNE MALIXI launches program to discover young talent
At age 18, Rianne Malixi is doing what many local sports stars have failed to do: giving back to the sport that made them icons.
In this regard, Rianne, though not yet an icon but moving in that direction, is far ahead of them in an exemplary and surprising way. She and her team have organized the Rianne Malixi Challenge at the Royal Northwoods Golf Club that was held Sunday with more 170 young boys and girls participating.
Knowing where her current journey began, Rianne, her parents plus several sponsors, know that giving opportunities to the youth and aspiring athletes will lead them to a better life and future.
Along with the Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines, Rianne’s team has raised P1.8 million for the training and development of junior golfers which will follow the program that made her successful.
"I have been fortunate enough to be guided and supported by a loving village headed by my parents, family, loved ones, sponsors and benefactors. It is now my time to give back and share to my junior golf family," said Malixi, who made history by winning the 2024 US Junior and US Women's Amateur Championships.
"I hope that our local golf community can rally behind this project and help our next generation of golf stars reach their full potential and represent the country well in the future," she added.
JGFP president Oliver Gan, for his part, said: "This is unprecedented for an active junior golfer to have a relevant training program for other junior golfers. Rianne is a national sports treasure, and we are very lucky to have her, and our players are very fortunate to benefit from her generosity.”
The program will have a pool of juniors ages 8-17 years old who will be picked based on their potential to become world class golfers.
"This is hopefully just the start. We want sponsors, funders and supporters to come in and help the program continue and eventually to grow. We have the talent. Our kids, and their parents and support groups, just need proper nurturing and guidance," said Roy Malixi, Rianne’s father.
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