Zaragosa outclasses Korean, keeps Phl Am match play title

MANILA, Philippines - Rupert Zaragosa went on an attack mode yesterday and routed Korean Park Min-ung, 5&4, to retain the Philippine Amateur Match Play Championship crown at the Palmer layout of the Orchard Golf and Country Club in Dasmariñas, Cavite.

Zaragosa, 16, birdied six of the first 13 holes to seize control in an impressive display of shotmaking and iron play as he dominated Park to rule the centerpiece event presented by the MVP Sports Foundation and backed by Pancake House, Golf Depot and Pacsports as part of the PLDT Group Amateur Tour.

“Everything just worked today,” said Zaragosa after nailing his third men’s match play crown, counting his victory over John Kier Abdon at Wack Wack in 2011 when he went on to pocket the boy’s and men’s crowns as a 13-year-old.

Park, the Junior Am titlist two years ago, failed to flash the form that netted him impressive victories in the quarterfinal and Final Four stages where he needed just 12 holes to dispose of his rivals as he failed to match Zaragosa’s fiery start.

Daniella Uy also posted a 5&4 romp over Fil-Japanese Yuka Saso to annex the ladies crown with Bianca Pagdanganan clinching third place honors with a 4&3 win over Chanelle Avaricio.

Tommy Manotoc, president of the organizing National Golf Association of the Philippines, awarded the trophies to Zaragosa and Uy during awards rites.

Gen Nagai, who won the Junior Am title at Sherwood Hills two weeks ago but lost to Zaragosa in the Final Four, salvaged third place with a 1-up win over another Korean, Kim Tae-woo.

It was sweet victory for Zaragosa, who sustained a wrist injury and was forced to pull out of the Junior Am at Sherwood.

“This makes it all worth it, all the pain during therapy and all the hard work,” said Zaragosa.