CEBUANO Charles Hong pounced on erstwhile leader Clyde Mondilla’s early foldup and Keanu Jahns’ backside meltdown to finish with a two-under 70 yesterday and capture the ICTSI Luisita Championship crown by two shots the Luisita Golf and Country Club in Tarlac.
The Cebu Country Club product sank clutch birdies on 12 and 15 before holding off Orlan Sumcad, Tony Lascuña and Marvin Dumandan with a brave run of pars in the last three holes, including the tough par-3 17th, to close out with a 15-under 273 worth P360,000.
“This victory validates my two other wins, that I can do it anytime,” said Hong. He nipped Richard Sinfuego in sudden death at ICTSI Pueblo de Oro for his maiden win in 2012 then rallied from behind to outlast young American Micah Shin by one at ICTSI Sherwood Hills last year.
With Mondilla and Jahns dropping out of contention one after the other with a 41 start for an 80 (Mondilla) and a 40 finish for a 75 (Jahns), Hong kept his focus and only asked for the update when they headed to the difficult No. 17, which he said could make-or-break one’s title bid.
“I didn’t dare to ask on what’s happening in the flights ahead and just concentrated on my game since I was not doing good for most part of the day,” added Hong. “And because I didn’t know what’s happening, I was able to fix my game.”
“But I precisely asked on No. 17 because that’s the toughest hole, which played to around 215 yards,” shared Hong, who kept his run of under-par rounds that included a 66, 68 and 69 over the par-72 layout which made its return to the pro circuit after 26 years.