Jungolfer upstages vets for Lakewood title

MANILA, Philippines —  In an exceptional display of skill and composure rarely seen in a junior golfer, Jiwon Lee clinched the ICTSI Lakewood Championship, upstaging  some of the country’s top professionals, including Chihiro Ikeda, whom she edged out on the second playoff hole at the Lakewood Golf and Country Club in Cabanatuan yesterday.

The sudden death unfolded back at the par-5 18th hole, where Lee outlasted Ikeda by securing a routine par as Ikeda conceded while facing a bogey putt. Both players had finished the regulation play with six-under 210s, with Lee making a critical birdie on the 17th to salvage a 72, and Ikeda rallying from four shots behind third-round leader Harmie Constantino to post a 70 with a birdie on the final hole.

“I was so grateful to be in a playoff with Ikeda because I’m such a fan,” said Lee. “At that point, I was already pressuring myself to win. But I reminded myself to just play the game and have fun. Just feel the pressure and adrenaline rush.”

The initial playoff hole saw both players par the 18th.

Meanwhile, Sean Ramos moved on the cusp of a breakthrough victory on the Philippine Golf Tour, edging out Tony Lascuña in a captivating showdown between emerging talent and seasoned campaigner to seize a one-stroke lead with a flawless 66 in the third round.

Ramos kept his mastery of Lakewood’s front nine, displacing joint leaders Art Arbole and Lascuña with another impressive five-under 31. Despite slowing down to one birdie at the backside, the young Asian Development Tour competitor maintained his position atop the leaderboard with a three-day total of 13-under 203.