Choo, Tanpinco lead winners in RP int’l jungolf

Choo Tze Huang of Singapore shot a final round 81, the Philippines’ JR Tanpinco closed out with an 84 and Ji Sun Jang of South Korea carded a 74 yesterday to bag the major titles in the fifth Philippine International Junior Golf Championship.

Choo had earlier played the par 72, 6,774-yard Wack Wack Golf and Country Club East course with an 80, 82 and 77 for 320 to emerge overall champion among those who are 17 years and below.

Tanpinco played his worst round after shooting a 75, 77 and 73 earlier but it was enough to capture the overall title among those who are 18-21 years old with 309.

Jang wound up with 236 for three days to bring home the girls’ overall championship.

Thailand’s Toffy Mitrpanont came up with 75 and lost by one to Choo in the battle for overall honors. The Thai bet settled for the Class A crown with 321.

Koh Deng Shan, Choo’s compatriot, closed out with an 80 to emerge Class B champion with 355. Thailand’s Worawee Nakpanom scored a 77 to settle for second place with 336.

Anya Tanpinco, JR’s younger sister, scored an 81 to capture the girls’ Special Division championship with 252. Second was Thailand’s Chataya Chanachai with an 84 and 257.

Since Jang could not also claim a second prize, the girls’ 13-17 division tiara went to compatriot Choi So Ra after coming up with an 82 and 250.

The girls 12 and under crown went to Ploi Dejsuba of Thailand after she shot a 69 for 219. A far third with 79 and 233 was compatriot Pormanong Phatlum.