Catalan snares title vs Sytiongsa

MANILA, Philippines - John Catalan birdied the second hole of a sudden death playoff to edge Harvey Sytiongsa of Cebu in a thrilling duel for the boys Class A crown that capped the inaugural edition of the Philippine Golf Foundation Junior Masters Series at the Alabang Country Club.

Catalan, who bogeyed No. 18 and failed to win it outright in regulation, sank the winning putt after Sytiongsa dumped his approach into the par-4 No. 2 into the deep front bunker.

He led the eight players who made up the first batch of winners in this event that marked the Philippine Golf Foundation’s return to the junior golf scene in collaboration with the Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines.

While Catalan went over the distance, Annyka Pineda-Cayabyab pulled off the quickest win by taking out Mikaella Arroyo, 6 & 4,  for the girls Class D plum.

Ericka Lim also made short work of top seed Pamela Mariano via a 6 & 4 rout in the girls Class A final for one of two Cebu victories with Junia Gabasa claiming the other after nipping Ashia Nocum, 1 up, for the girls Class C crown.

Dan Cruz, Josh Jorge, Ira Alido emerged as the other boys winners while Annika Cedo surprised the fancied LK Go, 3 & 2, for the girls Class B plum.

Cruz, son of a former touring professional, claimed his biggest victory yet after denying Nikolo Gatmaytan 2 & 1 in boys Class B. The score was the same in Jorge’s victory over Jolo Magcalayo in Class D while Alido dominated Wei Yu Gao, 4 & 2, in their showdown for the Class C plum.

It was a sorry loss for Gao who was trying to win at least one for a family of three who worked their way into the semifinals.