Outwits rivals in Forest Hills finale: Pucay ends home slump

ANTIPOLO , Philippines  – Mars Pucay outsmarted Elmer Salvador and the hot-starting Artemio Murakami in a crucial play on No. 12, gaining a two-shot swing and chalking up a two-shot victory over Salvador with a closing two-under 70 in the ICTSI Forest Hills Championship at the Forest Hills Golf Club here yesterday.

Pucay, tied with Salvador and four ahead of Murakami at the start of the final round, fell behind by one at the turn but pounced on Murakami and Salvador’s double-bogey mishaps on the par-4 No. 12 which he parred. He birdied the next to go two-up and went on to essay the two-stroke victory.

He pooled a seven-under 209 and took home the top P200,000 purse in a victory that ended a long title spell by the former national champion on the local circuit.

“I really can’t remember when I last won here but I’ve been waiting for this (win). I’m sure it will boost my confidence for the Asian Tour,” said Pucay, who is set to play for four consecutive weeks, including two on the Asian Tour stops in Taiwan and Thailand before heading back home for the ICTSI-Mt. Malarayat Classic of the Mercedes-Benz Tour and the ICTSI Orchard Invitational next month.

Salvador, seeking his second leg win on this year’s ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour after ruling the kickoff leg at Mt. Malarayat, seized the lead with a 34 at the front and stayed on top after No. 11.

But he sliced his drive on the tough par-4 12th, took a penalty drop and reached the green in four and two putted. He wound up with a 72 and settled for second with a five-under 211 worth P120,000 in the 54-hole tournament which served as the fourth leg of the circuit put up by International Container Terminal Services, Inc. and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments.

“Sayang, I was thinking of using a 3-wood instead of a driver on No. 12. But I wanted to use a 7-iron on my second shot so I opted for a driver,” rued Salvador.

Murakami, who came from behind to snatch the Manila Southwoods title of the Mercedes-Benz Tour recently, appeared headed for another come-from-behind win when he rallied from four shots down to move within a shot off Salvador with a five-birdie binge and a 31 after nine holes.

He caught up with Salvador with a birdie on the 10th but the US Open veteran and former winner of The Country Club Invitational stumbled with a bogey on the next and made a 6 on No. 12 after also opting for a driver to reel back.