LAUREL, Batangas – In yet another impressive show of his talent and longevity, Tony Lascuña overcame fierce competition from younger rivals under some of the harshest conditions in Philippine Golf Tour history.
Six months after outplaying competitors half his age at The Country Club Invitational, Lascuña defied Father Time and the severe, cold conditions to capture the ICTSI Splendido Taal Championship by one stroke over a late-charging Keanu Jahns.
Lascuña, 53, showcased his exceptional skill, finishing with a brilliant chip shot for a tap-in par on the 72nd hole, securing him a 71 and a 13-under 275 total and thwarting Jahns' hopes of forcing a playoff.
Lascuña holds nerves
The Fil-German came charging back from five strokes down with a 67 in a flight ahead of the championship group, assembling a four-day total of 12-under 276 to put pressure on Lascuña as erstwhile contender Lloyd Go faded in the closing holes.
But Lascuña held his nerves.
Coming short of the par-4 18th, Lascuña confidently chipped to within two feet. As soon as he drained the putt, he broke into a huge fist pump as the 53-year-old veteran secured the victory worth P360,000.
It also ended a series of Top 5 finishes in the first half of the 10-leg PGT season and highlighted the enduring success of his golf career.
After securing his second TCC Invitational crown last January, Lascuña tied for third at Apo, where Jhonnel Ababa emerged victorious, finished tied for 10th at Palos Verdes, won by Go, and shared fifth place at Caliraya Springs, which he had won the previous year but was dominated by Clyde Mondilla last April.
Additionally, he placed joint third in the Philippine Masters and finished solo third at the Lakewood Championship.
"Considering my age and the rise of young talents, I thought I might not win again," said Lascuña in Pilipino, who now yields 20-30 yards in length against his younger rivals.
Jahns snatched the P236,000 runner-up prize.
Go made four bogeys in the last seven holes and ended up with a 72, totaling 278. This enabled Mondilla, who rallied with a bogey-free 64, to tie for third. They split the combined purse of P242,000.
Dino Villanueva also made a strong comeback with a 67, finishing fifth at 280. Sean Ramos shot a 68 and tied Aidric Chan, who carded a 73, for sixth at 281, while Daiya Suzuki also fought back with a 69 for solo eighth at 282.
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