PETER Tyler Po fought back from one-hole deficits after the morning play to pull off a 4 & 3 win over Jolo Magcalayo and crown himself the 2017 Philippine Amateur Open Match Play champion at the Orchard’s Player course in Dasmariñas, Cavite on Friday.
The ninth-ranked Po came out smoking at the resumption of the grueling 36-hole duel in scorching heat, winning holes Nos. 3, 6 and 11 with birdies to wrest control then finished off his second-seeded rival with a par on the 15th for the biggest win of his young career.
“Winning this major tournament for the first time brings me to another level of experience. It will surely make me tougher,” said the 17-year-old Po, who has previously settled for club junior championships. “Playing with tough players is also a great experience and winning over them is really unforgettable.”
The victory capped the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu student’s giant-killing campaign in the country’s premier match play event that saw him bundle out top seed Rupert Zaragosa in the quarters and last year’s champion Noel Langamin in the Final Four.
Yuka Saso took the women's title with a 3 & 2 victory over Harmie Constantino.
Meanwhile, the NGAP has cancelled the Phl Junior Match Play set next week.
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