DAVAO – After a challenging Wednesday that saw them get shut out of the title race in two age categories, Davao golfers bounced back by claiming the 13-15 division titles in impressive wire-to-wire fashion at the ICTSI JPGT Mindanao Series I at the Apo Golf and Country Club on Thursday.
Johanna Uyking hit three birdies in a three-over 75 to finish with a 54-hole total of 227 (79-74-75). She won the girls’ title by a commanding 24 strokes over fellow Davaoeña Merry Rose Wacan, who ended with a total of 251 after an 83.
Jed Santinna Patosa, also from Davao, secured third place with a total of 333 following a round of 113.
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"It feels great to win for the first time in JPGT. This victory is significant because all my hard work has paid off," said Uyking, who will turn 13 this year. "I expected to win because I had a substantial lead after 36 holes."
Looking ahead to the Mindanao Series 2 at South Pacific Golf and Leisure Estates next week, Uyking plans to prepare diligently and be at her best while enjoying the game.
In the boys’ division, AJ Wacan demonstrated his class with a 23-shot victory after finishing with a three-day total of 229 which he capped with a 74.
Despite slipping with a couple of bogeys on the back nine, Wacan pulled away with a birdie on the 13th and finished strongly, putting him comfortably ahead of his competitors.
Joaquin Pasquil, who was eight strokes behind after 36 holes, ended in second place with a total of 252, while Dexter Eiki rallied with an 83 to claim third place with a total of 262. Santi Asuncion of Taguig, previously in third, fell to fourth with a 267 after a final round of 90.
The victories set in motion Uyking and AJ Wacan’s bids in the Match Play Championship, which will bring together the top finishers from the nationwide circuit sponsored by ICTSI aimed at developing young talent in the sport.
In the boys’ 16-18 division, local ace Aldrien Gialon edged closer to victory, maintaining consistency with a third straight 78. He surged ahead of South Cotabato’s Rainier Tagwalan by four shots with a total of 234 going into the final round of the premier division of the series organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.
Tagwalan, tied with Gialon halfway through the 72-hole tournament at 156, struggled on the back nine with a 44 despite a birdie on the 18th. He finished second with a total of 238, while Adrian Bisera from Davao shot a second consecutive 81 to place third with a total of 239.
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