Blistering finish nets Carlos 4-shot win

DAVAO, Philippines — Jobim Carlos turned in another blistering finish reminiscent of his recent breakthrough win at Riviera, birdying three of the last seven holes to shoot a 68 and beat Elmer Salvador and Albin Engino by four in the ICTSI Apo Golf Invitational here yesterday.

Pressed by local ace Salvador after nine holes, Carlos rode on a clutch two-shot (birdie-bogey) swing on the par-4 12th then birdied the par-5 No. 13 from four feet to build a three-stroke cushion he preserved with gutsy pars and another birdie on the closing par-5 hole.

The final round 68 was a remarkable recovery by the 25-year-old shotmaker who wobbled in the third round with a 73 that enabled Salvador, Mars Pucay and Nilo Salahog to force a four-way tie for the lead and a host of others to stay within striking distance heading to the final 18 holes of the P3 million championship.

But Carlos turned it into an anti-climactic ending with a scorching finish.

Though Pucay and the rest of the contenders reeled back with shaky frontside stints, Salvador kept in step with Carlos until he stumbled with that costly missed green bogey on No. 12 and Carlos came through with the key birdie from a putter’s length.

“I played good. I think this (tournament) is really meant for me,” said Carlos, who also rallied with three birdies in the last six holes for a 67 in the final round to edge another Davaoeño,  Tony Lascuña,  by two and record his maiden win at PGT Asia at Riviera three weeks ago.

He totaled eight-under 280 and added the P550,000 he received from organizing Philippine Golf Tour, Inc. executive director Narlene Soriano to his $17,500 earnings at Riviera. It was actually his third title, winning his first in the National Pro-am team championship with DJ Padilla last month.

Engino, three shots off the leaders after 54 holes, had a solid three-under card after No. 16 but ran out of holes to mount a serious challenge. He finished with a 69 and tied Salvador, who matched par 72, at second at 284. They each received P292,500.

“I did everything I could but it’s still not enough,” said Salvador.

Jerson Balasabas, just one down with 18 holes left to play in the P3 million event sponsored by ICTSI, faded with three bogeys in the first eight holes. But the recent Philippine Masters winner fought back with four birdies in the last six to salvage a 72.