Carlos-Raymundo snares crown as rivals falter

MANILA, Philippines - Jobim Carlos came through with a superb approach shot to set up a three-footer for birdie for Inigo Raymundo then the duo watched Aidric Chan and Ira Alido crack under pressure and flub a par putt from two feet to snatch the NGAP’s fifth National Doubles Amateur Golf Championship crown at Camp Aguinaldo Golf Club in Quezon City yesterday.

That birdie-bogey swing on the closing par-5 of the par-68 layout completed Carlos and Raymundo’s come-from-behind victory in a thrilling ending to the duo’s title quest but a horrible finish for the Chan-Alido tandem in the centerpiece Group I of the National Golf Association of the Philippines’ final event in the season.

That closing birdie saved Raymundo and Carlos a two-over 70 in the deciding alternate shot format for a 274 aggregate, including a 64 in the opening best ball and a 140 in the aggregate Monday, while the final hole mishap gave Chan and Alido a 71 for a 275.

Jama Reyes and Tom King turned in a 74 to place third at 285, Ryan Monsalve and Lanz Uy hobbled with a 77 for a 286 while Raymart Tolentino and Carlo Villaroman rallied with a 72 for a 288 to snatch fifth place in the event held under the PLDT Group National Amateur Golf Tour and sponsored by the MVP Sports Foundation, Smart, PLDT and Metro Pacific Investment Corp.

Justin Quiban and Miguel Shah ended up sixth at 290 after a 78 while last year’s winner Rupert Zaragosa and new partner Joey Magcalayo struggled with a 77 for a 291 and Eddie Bagtas and Jolo Magcalayo placed eighth at 292 after a 79.

After a roller coaster frontside battle, Chan and Alido took a two-shot lead with birdies on Nos. 10 and 12 and held on to it by matching their rivals pars in the next four holes. But they lost a stroke on the par-3 17th on a bogey-double bogey swing then blew it all with that final hole Chan miscue from short range.

Regina de Guzman and Cassy Isagawa ran away with the Group III crown with a 281 after a 70, beating Harmie Constantino and Jona Magcalayo, who skied to a 78 for a 293, by 12. Marvi Monsalve and Daniella Uy combined for a 77 and placed third at 297 while Kristine Torralba and Ashia Nocum pooled a 312 after an 80.

Jun Bautista and Inigo Bilbao, meanwhile, appeared headed for the Group II romp after the duo assembled a 226 after a 157 in the aggregate, seven ahead of Adrian Romero and Kevin Saclot, who had a 158 and a 233, heading to the alternate shot format.

The victory also augured well for Carlos, the inaugural champion in 2011 in tandem with Raymundo Gonzales who is set to join the pro ranks in February after hurdling the PGT Qualifying School at Eagle Ridge three weeks ago.

It was a heartbreaking setback for Alido and Chan, who took charge with a solid six-under 62 in the opening best ball format but dropped to a share of the lead with Carlos and Raymundo in the aggregate Monday.  They held their ground in the first nine holes, went 2-up with early backside birdies and appeared headed for the win with four tough pars.

But after Carlos and Raymundo gained a stroke on the 17th, the former hit a solid wedge shot from 104 yards for that birdie putt on the 18th while Chan fell short off his target by two pins with Alido putting to within two feet for a possible playoff.

But Chan succumbed to pressure, pushing his putt to the left of the cup and handing Carlos and Raymundo the crown.