MEXICO, Pampanga – Jakob Taruc and Kendra Garingalao turned the final round of the ICTSI Beverly Place Junior PGT Championship into a coronation on Wednesday, braving an early morning downpour to claim double-digit victories in the premier divisions.
While Taruc merely put the finishing touches to an already massive 11-stroke cushion to roll to an 18-stroke rout over Nathan Belandres after a 75, Garingalao turned a tense three-shot lead into a front-nine blowout. Despite a birdie-less 77 at the Beverly Place Golf Club, Garingalao secured an eight-stroke victory over Rafa Anciano.
Two-hour rain delay
The rain and two-hour-long delay it caused only postponed the inevitable. Taruc coasted to an 18-shot triumph over Belandres, closing with a four-over par for a 54-hole total of 224. Belandres rallied with a 76 to snatch runner-up honors at 242, while Jacob Bayron charged back with a 79 to tie for third at 243 with Francis Slavin and Bryce Co, who posted 82 and 83, respectively.
In the distaff side, Garingalao closed out with a six-over card for a 235 total, while Levonne Talion shot a 76 to tie Anciano, who limped home with an 82, at second at 243.
The victory earned Garingalao 15 crucial ranking points, boosting her total to 37 and cementing her spot in the upcoming Grand Finals – the North vs South Duel – scheduled for Aug. 17–20 in Cagayan de Oro. Twin sisters Lisa and Mona Sarines have already clinched the first two berths with 42 and 39 points, respectively, while Anciano dropped to fourth place with 35.
Meanwhile, Talion’s late rally kept her finals drive alive, lifting her to 32 points heading into the sixth and final Luzon series leg at Eagle Ridge on June 17-19.
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