Miñoza earns Champs Tour card

MANILA, Philippines –  Frankie Miñoza fulfilled a life-long dream to play in the United States, earning a full-exempt spot in next year’s Champions Tour with a solid joint runner-up finish in the National Qualifying Tournament at the TPC Eagle Trace in Coral Springs, Florida Friday.

Miñoza, who played in a couple of Majors in his prime, closed out with a bogey-free five-under 67 to join American low medalist Keith Clearwater, Phil Blackmar, Lee Rinker and John Morse in the 2011 Champions Tour, the next big circuit in the US after the PGA Tour.

“It’s like a dream come true for me. I am so happy,” said the 51-year-old Miñoza, the country’s and Asia’s former No. 1. “I putted very well and that was the key.”

Miñoza’s solid finish actually came after he hobbled with a two-over 74 in the third round that dropped him to ninth and out of the Magic 5.

But the ace Filipino shotmaker, a multiple winner in Asia who has made Japan his base majority of his pro career, rebounded with birdies on Nos. 2, 3, 8 and 11 before holing out with his fifth on the final hole that clinched him the precious spot.

“Miñoza’s birdie at No. 18 was crucial since it helped him avoid a possible playoff as well as earning him his first Champions Tour card,” according to a website report.

He wound up with a 275 in a tie with Blackmar (68) and Rinker (72) with Morse carding a 71 for a 276 then edging two others for the fifth and last berth.

Clearwater topped the event with a 272 after a 72.

Miñoza opened his bid in the 72-hole elims with a fiery 66, including eight birdies, then pressed his bid with an eagle-spiked 68 in the second round.

But he faltered in the third, making three bogeys and a double-bogey against three birdies to fall to a share of ninth and in danger of missing the outright spot.

The five finishers earned fully exempt status for the 2011 season while the finishers 6-12 will be conditionally exempt. In addition, the top 30 finishers and ties will be eligible to compete for spots in open qualifiers at all co-sponsored events on the Champions Tour in 2011.