Murakami ends slump, posts 8-shot romp

Artemio Murakami (center) holds his trophy after dominating the field in the P1 million BDO Canlubang Golf Invitational, his first victory on the ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour at Cangolf's south course yesterday. With him are Cangolf general manager Luigi Yulo (left) and BDO marketing group head Paquito Vista.

CANLUBANG – Artemio Murakami snapped a year-long title drought with an imposing eight-shot victory in the P1 million BDO Canlubang Golf Invitational, outclassing a slew of club bets, including Richard Sinfuego and Jerson Balasabas, with a closing six-under 66 at Cangolf’s south course here, Friday.
Murakami whisked off a token challenge from Tomokazu Yoshinaga of Japan with a solid 33 at the front then strolled to the year’s second most lopsided victory with no one from among his pursuers able to put up a fight.
He wound up with a 14-under 202 total and won by eight over Sinfuego and Balasabas, who had 210s after a pair of 68s, for the second biggest margin of victory next to Elmer Salvador’s 12-shot win, over Murakami and Mars Pucay, at ICTSI Sherwood last September.
It was also his first win on the three-year-old ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour.
“I feel like, finally my dream is coming through,” said Murakami after annexing his first victory since topping the 
all-Filipino Philippine Open last December. “This is my first win on the PGT and my first since the Phl Open.”
Although the top P200,000 purse hardly boosted his ranking in the Order of Merit - he moved up to No. 10, the win should fire up the 28-year-old Fil-Japanese heading to the final leg of the 16-stage circuit, organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournament Inc., at Wack Wack on Nov. 23-25.
Murakami used a course-record eight-under 64 to launch his bid in the 54-hole tournament sponsored by BDO and though he slowed down with a 72 in the second round, he remained in firm control as the rest failed to press on their respective bids.
Yoshinaga, who started the final round just three shots behind Murakami, wilted under pressure and reeled back with a 40, finishing with a 76 and tumbling to joint seventh with Terence Macatangay, who had a 74, at 215.
Balasabas and Sinfuego, who flashed their local knowledge of the layout with 68 and 69 in the first round only to fumble with 74 and 73, respectively, in the next day, regained their form but their 68s were still overshadowed by Murakami’s 66. Each got P92,500.
Zanie Boy Gialon shot a 75 for a 223 to claim the low amateur honors, his third straight after topping the ICTSI Calatagan leg and the Samsung Amateur Open last month.
James Ryan Lam rallied with a 69 and snatched solo fourth at 213 worth P50,000 while Robert Pactolerin, who nipped Tony Lascuna in a four-hole playoff at ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic, and Elmer Saban shot similar 70s to share fifth place at 214. Each received P37,500.
Peter Villaber fired a 69 and tied Anthony Fernando and Arnold Villacencio, who both had 74s, at ninth at even par 216 in the 54-hole event backed by MJ Carr Golf Management, Inc., Srixon, Callaway, Unilab, Titleist, Sharp, Custom Clubmakers, Mizuno, PinoyGolfer.com, Inquirer Golf, A Round of Golf, Studio 23, Balls, and Dynamic Sports.
Mhark Fernando and Jhonnel Ababa, two of the fancied players earlier tipped to contend for the crown owing to their familiarity with the course they call home, failed to live up the hype. Fernando made a 75 and ended up in joint 15th at 218 while Ababa, winner of two of the last three legs of the circuit, hobbled with a 77 and wound up in 34th with a 224.(pr)