BACOLOD, Philippines — Rupert Zaragosa claimed his second Philippine Golf Tour crown after torrential rain brought by Typhoon Kristine forced the cancellation of the third and final round at the ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic here yesterday.
The relentless downpour turned the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club into an unplayable landscape, forcing the tournament to be cut down to 36 holes. This followed an earlier decision to shorten the season-ending 72-hole event to 54 holes on Wednesday.
The organizing Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. initially flagged off three flights, but continuous heavy rain made conditions worse.
The tournament thus concluded after 36 holes, with Zaragosa’s second-round score of 66, completed before the storm hit, securing him a commanding six-stroke victory over Tony Lascuña and Reymon Jaraula.
Zaragosa finished with a total of six-under 134, making him the de facto winner of the event presented by Negros Electric and Power Corp.
“I’m super happy with the outcome, despite the shortened tournament,” said Zaragosa in Filipino.
Zaragosa’s winnings of P450,000 capped off his campaign in the tour, with his focus now shifting toward the upcoming ICTSI Match Play Championship at The Country Club next month – the final leg of the PGT’s 10-stage season sponsored by ICTSI.
Looking ahead, Zaragosa has set his sights on qualifying for the Asian Tour through its Q-School in December, with hopes of expanding his career internationally.
Meanwhile, Lascuña and Jaraula, tied for second place at 140, each receiving P232,500.