LUBAO, Pampanga—Ryuji Suzuki solidified his position as the standout player in the 8-10 division of the Junior Philippine Golf Tour with a hard-fought victory, thwarting Jose Luis Espinosa for the second straight time with a 71 at the Pradera Verde Golf and Country Club here.
Mirroring his performance from the first round, Suzuki added more brilliance to his game on yesterday (Wednesday). After posting a two-birdie, two-bogey card Tuesday, he delivered four birdies against three bogeys, finishing a 36-35 for a 36-hole total of 143, and claiming supremacy in the JPGT Luzon Series 2.
“It feels great to win back-to-back. It’s truly an honor,” said Suzuki, who attributed his early success in the series organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., aimed at developing young talent and boosting the sport’s popularity across the country, to diligent practice, especially on his short game.
A clutch birdie on the closing par-5 hole secured Suzuki’s two-stroke victory over Espinosa, who mounted a late charge with birdies on Nos. 12 and 15 and an eagle on the last. Despite Espinosa’s strong finish for a 72, he fell short again with a 145 total.
Monte Andaman wound up third with a 175 after an 83.
“I felt the pressure and struggled to hit properly,” Suzuki said of Espinosa’s late surge, which he countered with a brilliant last-hole feat.
“I’m so glad my chip went in on the last hole,” added the 10-year-old Suzuki, who expressed gratitude to his family and coach for their guidance in his golfing journey.
Suzuki also edged Espinosa by one in the series’ kickoff leg at Splendido Taal two weeks ago.
In the girls’ side of the youngest category of the three-division series sponsored by ICTSI, Georgina Handog made an impressive JPGT debut with a commanding four-stroke triumph over first-leg winner Maurysse Abalos despite a closing 81.
Handog, who started the final round with a huge nine-shot lead, endured nine bogeys in a birdie-less round but still captured the crown with a 168 aggregate. Abalos, finished with a 76 marked by four birdies, six bogeys and a double bogey, for a 172.
“I’m very happy because I worked so hard to reach this position,” said Handog. “I managed to handle the pressure by focusing on my own game and not worrying about the other players.”
She also expressed gratitude to her supporters for their help with her swing, which was instrumental in her becoming a champion.