MANILA, Philippines - Rodel Mangulabnan of Forest Hills made a resounding comeback three years after returning the champion’s trophy by winning the men’s division even as Korean expat Jang Eun-sil and Bong de Guzman claimed the ladies and seniors titles, respectively, in the seventh Mizuno Tournament of Champions over the weekend at the Eagle Ridge Golf and Country Club in Gen. Trias, Cavite.
Mangulabnan, who won in 2009 but made the honorable gesture of giving back the crown after the discovery that he mistakenly used a non-conforming driver, turned back Luis Laureta of Valley, 3 and 2, in an exciting finale that started at noon and finished at sundown only because Laureta had to play two matches during the day.
Laureta returned early in the morning to defeat Manfred Guanko of Aguinaldo, 1 up, after their semifinal was washed out by rains spawned by typhoon Ofel.
Jang, of Manila Southwoods, blasted Christine Popp of Orchard, 3 and 1, to become the second Korean winner of the ladies category while de Guzman, playing as club champion of both Luisita and Lakewood, won over Chito Servida of Orchard, 2 up.
In the special division, Lawrence Celestino of Eagle Ridge prevailed over Kenneth Cano of Capitol Hills, 3 and 2.
For their feat, Mangulabnan, Jang and de Guzman won signature golf and duffel bags from the sponsoring Mizuno through its local distributor Master Sports Corp. which co-presented the event together with Inquirer Golf and its permanent home, Eagle Ridge Golf and Country Club.
As an extra incentive, Mangulabnan earned the right to represent the Philippines in the Mizuno Dream Cup which offers at slot to the British Open at Muirfield in England next year.