Zaragosa all but wraps it up with six-shot lead
The pint-sized Rupert Zaragosa stood tallest in conditions so brutal that they all but determined the outcome of the P2.5 million ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic at the old, treelined course in Bacolod formerly known as Marapara.
Just when everyone practically folded when howling gusts, rain and muddied fairways made the challenge more difficult, Zaragosa completed the final six holes of his second round at one-under to shoot a four-under-par 66 and take a commanding six-shot lead into the final round that is in danger of not being played at all on Friday.
The last leg of the Philippine Golf Tour season was supposed to be a 72-hole event, before organizers announced on Wednesday that it will be shortened to 54 after a big chunk of the second round was wiped out because of flooded fairways and bunkers.
And with super typhoon Kristine not easing up, chances are Zaragosa will bag the second title of his career without hitting a shot on Friday. Or if play does resume, Antonio Lascuña and Reymon Jaraula are faced with a steep trek by trying to overhaul a six-shot deficit in the same conditions.
“My goal in the last six holes was just to play them at par,” Zaragosa, who has a 134 aggregate, said. “I was fortunate to grab a birdie. It was much tougher today than yesterday because the wind was extremely strong, but I stayed committed to my game plan.”
Lascuña fired a second straight 70 that was marred by a double bogey-bogey string from No. 6, while Jaraula, the winner last week at nearby Binitin, struggled to shoot a 72.
Keabu Jahns and American Collin Wheeler matched par and caught first round leader Michael Bibat at 141 together with three others. Bibat, who opened with a 66, skied to a 75 littered by a double bogey and four bogeys against a single birdie.
Meanwhile, Harmie Constantino rallied mightily to win the P1 million ladies event by a shot over Sarah Ababa after a 69 gave her a 142 total.
The event was also reduced to 36 holes as Ababa couldn’t hold on to a three-shot clubhouse lead with six holes left to play by shooting a 75.
