Fernando hits mark, beats Pagunsan by 3

Mhark Fernando (center) receives his trophy from Jose Marie Fernandez (right), MICTSI terminal manager, ICTSI CDO Unit, and Del Monte Golf Club chairman Raul Leonen after scoring his maiden win at ICTSI Del Monte Championship.

BUKIDNON – Mhark Fernando rode on a three birdie-string from No. 14 to card a 69 and record his first pro victory in the P1 million Del Monte Championship while thwarting Juvic Pagunsan’s bid for a record fifth leg title at the Del Monte Golf Club here, Friday.

The late birdie-binge turned what had been a tightly fought backside battle into a cruise as Fernando stormed to a three-shot win over Pagunsan, who rallied from three strokes down to draw level with Fernando four times until he lost his putting touch and failed to hit any birdie after No. 10.

A tap-in birdie at the par-5 No. 14 sparked Fernando’s blazing finish as he made another birdie putt from pin-length distance on the next then capped his exploits with a third one from 16 feet.

He wound up with a 12-under 204, completing a run of under-par scores that included a 68 and 67 in the 54-hole tournament, and ending a two-year long search for a breakthrough win in the pro ranks.

Fernando actually won the ICTSI Riviera Classic in tough playing conditions in 2009 but as an amateur and waited this long to savor the sweet taste of a pro win worth P200,000 and with a victory over the most fancied player in the fold.

Pagunsan also strung up three under-par cards at the tight, mountain top layout, including a final round 69 as he settled for runner-up honors at 207 after routing the field in last week’s ICTSI Apo leg of the circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. and sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc. He took home P120,000.

The four-leg winner, in a flight ahead with Cassius Casas and Elmer Salvador, appeared headed for an explosive windup when he made three birdies in an eight-hole stretch to catch Fernando, in a flight behind, at the helm for the third time after No. 10.

Fernando, who had a shaky two-birdie, two-bogey frontside for a 36, birdied No. 11 to go 1-up again but bogeyed the par-3 12th, enabling Pagunsan to tie with back-to-back pars.

Anthony Fernando, one shot behind cousin Mhark Fernando at the start of the final round, also made the turn at even par then birdied No. 10 to force a three-way tie for the lead.

But he failed to get up and down on No. 11 and missed a couple of birdie putts in the next four holes. He birdied the par-3 16th but holed out with a bogey for a 72 for solo third at 208 worth P65,000.

Casas, who won this event last year when Pagunsan and two others were disqualified, birdied No. 3 to tie Mhark Fernando, who made a bogey, but sputtered with three bogeys in the next four holes on a three-putt (No. 5) and missed green (Nos. 7 and 8). He rebounded with two birdies to salvage a 72 for joint fourth with Artemio Murakami at 209.

Murakami, who missed the cut at Apo, turned in a bogey-free 70 to likewise finish with under-par scores in the tournament backed by MJ Carr Golf Management, Inc., Srixon, Callaway, Unilab, BDO, Titleist, Sharp, Custom Clubmakers, Mizuno, Empire Golf & Sports Shop, PinoyGolfer.com, Inquirer Golf, Omnisource International, A Round of Golf, Studio 23, Balls, and Dynamic Sports.

The comebacking Gerald Rosales shot the day’s best round of 67, including three birdies at the back, and ended up tied for sixth with Salvador and Art Arbole at 210.

Salvador, who also moved within one off the lead after No. 10, blew his bid with bogeys on Nos. 11 and 13 as he wound up with a 72 while Arbole also matched par 72 and took the low amateur honors.

Carl Santos-Ocampo, another rookie pro, shot a 71 and finished solo ninth at 211 while former Masters champion Rodrigo Cuello (69), Asian Tour campaigner Mars Pucay (71), Randy Garalde (73), Antonio Asistio II (71) and Jerson Balasabas (75) tied for 10th at 212.(pr)