Harmie Constantino continued her impressive streak at the Villamor Golf Club, reinforcing her status as the top player of the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour with a successful defense of her ICTSI Ladies Villamor Philippine Masters crown.
Constantino closed with a three-over-par 75 and 222 total, allowing Gretchen Villacencio to forge a playoff with a 70.
She prevailed on the second extra hole with a bogey as Villacencio muffed a chance to extend the playoff when she missed a three-foot bogey putt.
“I didn’t play my best today, and my score reflects that. It’s a reminder that there’s always room for improvement,” said Constantino who picked up the winner’s check of P101,250.
Her dominance seemed assured until a series of bogeys from the 13th hole tightened the competition.
This win marks another prestigious title on the tour organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., following her victories at Palos Verdes and Caliraya Springs.
Test of character for Harmie
What seemed like a runaway triumph turned into a test of will and character for Constantino.
With composed pars, she surged ahead by three strokes at the turn, while second round co-leaders Pauline del Rosario and Florence Bisera faltered with shaky starts.
Constantino extended her lead to five with a birdie on No. 12. However, a four-bogey slide from No. 13 set the stage for a nerve-wracking finish as Villacencio charged back with a two-under card.
Villacencio settled for second, receiving P67,500, while del Rosario missed joining the playoff with a 76 for a 233, worth P60,000.
Seoyun Kim placed fourth with a 77 and a 225, followed by Mikha Fortuna (77-226). Bisera skied to an 81, winding up joint sixth at 228 with Chihiro Ikeda, who finished with a 76.
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