Ilagan, Abiera finish joint fourth in Nicklaus invitational

Marty Ilagan and Beachie Abiera held their own against a stellar field and finished tied for fourth in the third Jack Nicklaus International Invitational (JNII) Tournament of Champions at the Champion Course, PGA National Resort and Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida recently.

The RP duo, which bested 96 other teams in the local qualifying event at The Orchard Golf and Country Club last June to gain the tickets to Florida, birdied the final hole to salvage an even-par 72 for joint fourth with Korea, China and Canada.

Dubbed as the ‘Tournament of Champions’, the event was the culmination of a series of amateur golf championships held in various countries earlier this year. The final tournament, which is a gross – no handicap event was played from the championship tees with bunker and water hazard-guarded greens.

It was Team Czech Republic who bagged this year’s JNII crown.

Ilagan summed up the entire competition as being a “great and memorable experience.”

Ilagan and Abiera found themselves living out a dream of playing golf in the international scene.

Abiera was the lone lady participant for the golf championships.

“ I will just have to step up my game another notch and take playing from the men’s tees a great challenge,” Abiera said.