Gan outguns top bets to win Samsung golf

Mastering the extremely difficult conditions, Oliver Gan upset the bigger guns with a three-stroke victory in the centerpiece championship division of the recent Tagaytay Midlands leg of the Samsung Amateur Golf Tour.

Gan, a 20-year-old long-hitter making the most of his familiarity with the course, spoiled national player Jay Bayron’s bid for another club victory with his 36-hole effort of 74-77-151 giving him his first major title.

Bayron, who was seeking to add a new feather to a collection of titles he won earlier at Riviera and Malarayat, could only shoot 78-76-154 while Antonio Legarda had 84-79-163 for third place.

Also winning their respective divisions were Katy Katigbak in Class A, Tony dela Cruz in Class B, Lernie Segaya in Class C. In the ladies division, jungolfer Remijin Camping was the Class A champion while Arlette Dizon ruled Class B.

The event is part of a three-play series marking Samsung’s major involvement in the local golf scene. The co-sponsors are Taylor Made adidas, Hotshots Flame-Grilled Burgers, Gatorade, Fila, Custom Clubmakers and Greg Norman Shirts by Planet Sports.

The Samsung Amateur Tour eliminations wind up at Mt. Malarayat on Feb. 6-7 before all leg winners assemble for the battle royale again at the Tagaytay Midlands in March.

Katigbak (80-77-157) benefited from a three-putt bogey on the last hole by Pitong Quiocho to win by one; Dela Cruz (81-80-161) was runaway winner with Conrad Potenciano finishing nine shots back while Segaya (95-88-183) nipped Erasmo Virata by one.

Camping’s 77-84-161 made her a lopsided winner over Ia Bakunawa; Dizon won by over Juvie Matsumoto with her 89-95-184.