Red-hot Lascuña strikes again

DAVAO, Philippines — Tony Lascuña capped a strong finish to close out the milestone 10th season of the Philippine Golf Tour, ruling the ICTSI South Pacific Classic with a kind of a windup only a player of his caliber could dish out.

One stroke behind Michael Bibat, Ira Alido and Clyde Mondilla after 54 holes, Lascuña hit three birdies against a bogey at the front then caught up with Bibat with his fourth birdie on No. 10 then surged ahead with clutch back-to-back birdies from No. 12, a charge the troika had failed to match in a flight behind, enabling the Davaoeño ace to coast to another three-stroke victory in the P3 million event sponsored by ICTSI with a course-record trying 66 at South Pacific Golf & Leisure Estates.

“I played a superb game, especially at the back. But I just want to think that this (tournament) is really mine. This (victory) is so sweet,” said Lascuña, who punched the air with his left hand after holing out and hugging his five-year-old son Antonio III as he completed a 12-under 276 total worth another P550,000 he received from Julien Domingo, general manager of DIPSSCOR, a subsidiary of the sponsoring ICTSI.

The win came on the heels of his wire-to-wire triumph at Apo last week and completed a stirring three-title romp he sparked with a thrilling victory in the PGT Asia in Taiwan three weeks ago that snapped a long struggle following a dip in form and personal woes early in the season.

Simply put, it was another virtuoso performance for the 48-year-old Lascuña, who foiled not just one or two but three rivals of varied skills and talents with his poise and confidence. He came through with solid drives, superb iron play and putting.