Solid putting nets Lam maiden crown

TARLAC, Philippines — Bracing for a shootout, James Ryan Lam turned it into a blowout, outgunning Jobim Carlos and Aussie Jack Sullivan with early birdies then staying in command throughout with near-flawless putting to score a breakthrough in the CAT (Central Azucarera de Tarlac) Open yesterday.

It practically took Lam five holes to dispose of his erstwhile co-leaders then thwarted a slew of rivals that kept coming at the back with a gutsy game anchored on superb putting, finishing with a 68 and winning by four over American Josh Salah at the Luisita Golf and Country Club.

“At last I won. This is great and I couldn’t ask for more,” said the 30-year-old Lam, who had four runner-up finishes in his nine-year quest for a crown in the local circuit, including one to American Nicolas Paez at PGT Del Monte last June.

But he put it all together here in four days, carding an opening 70 for joint 10th, moving up to sixth with a 69 Wednesday then joining Carlos and Sullivan at the helm with a brilliant 67 Thursday for a 72-hole total of 14-under 274 worth $17,500.

He beat the elite field on the greens with exceptional touch, saving pars 10 times, including four straight from No. 14 that secured his emphatic victory. He finished with tournament-best 21 putts.

But all throughout, Lam said he stayed focused and in times that he did commit mistakes at the tight, hazard-laden layout, he would bank on his superb short game and putting to emerge a winner for the first time.

“I tried to take control of my game and avoid getting into trouble. That was my game plan and it paid off,” said Lam, who missed the cut in the first three legs of this year’s PGT Asia but worked on his game and turned in a fifth place finish at Forest Hills last July then placed sixth at Aboitiz last month.