Echavez snares Samsung Am crown over teammate

BAGUIO – Paul Echavez rallied with a two-under-par 67 yesterday to take the centerpiece Samsung Pilipinas Golf Tour title away from teammate Ryan Lam at the Camp John Hay layout here.

The native of Davao broke 70 for the third straight day to post a 274 total and book the biggest win of his young career, which started last year.

Lam, meanwhile, failed to score in the 60s for the first time in four rounds and saw a three-shot lead heading into the final round evaporate. He shot a 73 for a 277 total.

Still, it was the best performance for Lam, a lanky teener who joined the NCO program earlier in the year. He is expected to join Echavez, Mark Fernando, Jhonnel Ababa and Jessie Balasabas in the Calatagan team that will play in the Fil-Am later in the year.

Alvin Engino, a caddie at the Marapara course in Bacolod, churned out a 75 to win the Special Division Championship over former Asia-Pacific senior champion Tommy Manotoc, who had a 78. Engino won the 36-hole division by six strokes with a 143 total.

Fred Puckett emerged the Class A champion while Heang Won Kang took the Class B crown. Pucket had 69-67-136 for a four-stroke win while Kang had a 64-76-140 for a five-shot triumph in the event sponsored by Mizuno, Autohub, Callaway, Wow Magic Sing, Titleist, Custom Clubmakers, Gargol, Wave 89.1 and the newly opened The Cliffs at Thunderbird Resort-Poro Point.