Magada snares first tour title

There was no homecoming party for Richard Sinfuego and the history book was left untouched by young amateur Juvic Pagunsan as a sniper named Benjie Magada played the spoiler’s role, winning the Iloilo leg of the First Gentleman’s Professional Golf Circuit with big par saves on the last two holes yesterday.

The dusky Magada hurtled to his first victory in four years when Sinfuego erred with a couple of bogeys on the 16th and 17th holes and avoided a sudden-death playoff by rolling in a difficult sidehill putt from four feet on the 18th for a one-stroke win.

Magada’s big break, however, came on the 17th. After his approach came very close to the out-of-bounds line, the Valley pro pitched from a difficult lie to within three feet of the flag and made the par for a two-shot cushion. Sinfuego’s final-hole birdie reduced the final margin to just one.

Magada racked up four consecutive rounds to end his victory drought, his closing three-under 67 giving him a 269 aggregate, 11 under par at the Iloilo Golf and Country Club in Sta. Barbara, and a P100, 000 paycheck.

He also became the fourth player to win in as many legs of the circuit revived by First Gentleman Mike Arroyo with the support of San Miguel Beer. WG&A Super Ferry is providing free transportation for pros in their campaign in the south.

Pagunsan, the 24-year-old amateur who seemed ready to become the first amateur in a dozen years to win a pro event, ballooned to a 76 and settled for fourth overall at 276 behind third-placer Robert Pactolerin, the first round leader who closed out with a 67.

"Malaking break yung nangyari sa akin sa 17th. Muntik akong ma-OB tapos na-par pa tingin ko yun ang nagpanalo sa akin," said Magada. "Malaking bagay din yung bogey ni Richard sa 16th."

With a partisan gallery cheering for Sinfuego, Magada shot it out with the hometown bet and went one up with a two-under card at the turn with his 35. Sinfuego drew level again with a birdie on the 10th but Magada countered with his own birdie on the 11th.

Sinfuego answered with yet another birdie on the 12th and grabbed the lead on the next hole which Magada bogeyed. The eventual champion made up for that miscue by sinking a 10-foot birdie on the 14th.

"Nung nagkapukpukan ako yung bumigay. Alam ko na-pressure din siya kaya lang magaganda ang recoveries niya, lalo na yung sa 17th," said Sinfuego who settled for the runner-up prize of P44,000.

His runner-up finish, however, made him the new money list leader as Antonio Lascuna landed 19th in a tie with rookie pro Angelo Que and two others.

Junie Vesinica ruled the amateur division with rounds of 72-68-140, four ahead of Godofredo Sinfuego (144). Jay Bayron and Mark Vijar tied for third.

The Visayas swing of the circuit moves to Bacolod next week for the fifth leg at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club (Marapara) Dec. 3-6 before moving to the Cebu Country Club Dec. 10-13.