Cho rules Pilipinas Am Golf Men's Open

MANILA, Philippines - Phil Kyo Cho bucked the foggy fairways to score a five-over-par-par 77 to edge out Aristeo Mata, who had a 78, for the men’s Open title in the second leg of the Pilipinas Amateur Golf Series held at the Splendido Golf and Country Club in Tagaytay City recently.

Cho, who made a lackluster game in the opening leg at Sherwood Hills, displayed awesome shotmaking at Splendido’s rolling par-72 layout. With his victory, he now holds the Order of Merit lead with 304 points followed by Mata’s 239.

Nicolas Santiano churned out a 79, beating Paolo Olives’ 84 for the Class A crown. Santiano took control with 320 ranks points, 87 ahead of Sherwood Hills’ Raymond Bunquin in the event which staked a Texas Eagle cart, a Mizuno set and a GPS Tracker a year of subscription service as hole-in-one prizes.

Supported by Callaway, Cleveland, Camp John Hay, Mizuno, Nike Golf, Srixon, Raymundo’s Trophies, Texas Eagle, Turf Company and media partner Business Mirror, Bing Joson (83) and Simon Villamon (87) ruled the Class B and C divisions, respectively.

Erlinda Goble (Ladies A), Edith Williams (Ladies B), Ping Nepomuceno (Senior A) and Ernesto Pablo (Senior B) were the other winners. The top four players in the OOM in the different divisions will advance to the national final next year.

The PAG Series, which will take a break in December, resumes January with Royal Northwoods in Bulacan as host. Interested players can register via SMS by sending “GOLD” to 0917-8784478 or through www.pilipinasgolf.com.

PAG Series OOM:

Cho Phil-Kyo Cho 304, Aristeo Mata 239, Cho Byung-ku 177 (men’s Open); Nicholas Santiano 320, Raymond Bunquin 233, Mark Macaranas 229 (Class A); Beng Joson 237, Rex Goquingco 237, Earel Gardiola 146, Fred Salonga 146 (Class B); Simon Villalon 468, Michael Macatangay 143, Kent Sicat 143 (Class C); Ping Nepomuceno 280, Lee Tong-wha 230, An Youn-hwan 139 (Senior A); Arnold Jumalon 241, Ernesto Pablo 240, Pio Villacorta 174 (Senior B); Samantha Bruce 229, Gabrielle Bruce 138, Arianne Salvador 87 (Ladies Open); Lin Mangulabnan 366, Erlinda Doble 315, Jung Soon-hak 137 (Ladies A); Edith Williams 371, Erica Macaranas 294, Belinda del Rosario 229 (Ladies B)