Avaricio survives Lee charge, wins South Pacific Classic

DAVAO CITY – Chanelle Avaricio silenced a crowded title chase with an early eagle, then relied on precision, patience and steely resolve to thwart Tiffany Lee’s blistering back-nine charge and capture the ICTSI South Pacific Classic by one stroke Thursday.

In sweltering conditions at South Pacific Golf Club, Avaricio closed with a three-under 69 for a seven-under 209 total, capping a gutsy performance in the fiercely contested 54-hole championship.

What appeared headed for a runaway victory turned into a nerve-racking battle as Avaricio’s four-shot cushion evaporated under the combined weight of a costly miscue and Lee’s relentless charge.

The two traded blows in a gripping finish that again underscored the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour’s penchant for last-hole drama.

Both players missed the green on the par-5 18th and settled for bogeys, allowing Avaricio to clinch the one-stroke victory worth PHP 142,250.

Lee misjudged her pitch and sent the ball past the cup before failing to get up and down from 12 feet.

That eased the pressure on Avaricio, who also missed her par putt from 8 feet.

After winning by two strokes over Yvon Bisera at Pueblo de Oro last week, Lee settled for runner-up honors after a 70 gave her a 210 total and PHP 102,500.

The setback did little to diminish Lee’s growing reputation and instead reaffirmed her status as one of the players to watch on tour.

“I really played well at the front – one eagle and three birdies. But at the back, I didn’t make any birdies and instead bogeyed two of the par-5s. Overall, though, I think I played well,” Avaricio said.

Avaricio had trouble recovering from a bunker on her first bogey, then missed the green on the final hole, left her pitch shot short and missed the putt.

Despite seeing her lead dwindle as Lee mounted a late challenge, Avaricio kept her composure to secure the victory.

While the pressure was evident, she refused to let it dictate her game.

“I won’t say threatened, but, of course, a part of me wanted to win. Medyo nag-worry and pressured na din kasi I was nine-under after the front nine, and I think I was up by four. And then Lee birdied No. 12, which I bogeyed. Of course, I would feel a little worried, but I had to keep myself composed, so I tried to stay in the moment and told myself, ‘Whatever happens, you’re doing your best,’” she said.

The South Pacific triumph was Avaricio’s third title of the season following victories at Pinewoods and Summit Point, and the 10th of her career.

“I’m really grateful and happy for this win,” Avaricio said, choosing to savor the moment instead of comparing the victory with her previous triumphs.

With the Apo Classic scheduled next week, Avaricio is looking ahead to another opportunity to extend her winning run and claim the 11th victory of her career.

Harmie Constantino rallied with a 68 to claim third place at 212.

Bisera failed to mount a final-round charge on her home course, settling for a 72 and fourth place at 213.

Rev Alcantara finished fifth at 215 after carding a 74.

Daniella Uy, whose back-nine 31 in the second round powered her to a 67 and forced a three-way tie at the top with Avaricio and Lee, could not recover from a shaky front-nine 39.

Uy closed with a 76 to tie for sixth at 216 with Chihiro Ikeda, who carded a 70.

Avaricio appeared firmly in control after blazing through the front nine in 31, highlighted by an eagle on No. 2 and birdies on Nos. 4, 7 and 9.

The momentum shifted when she bogeyed the par-5 12th, opening the door for Lee, who found her range at precisely the right time.

Lee caught fire with three birdies over five holes beginning at No. 12, transforming what had looked like a comfortable Avaricio cruise into a tense duel.

With her lead under siege, Avaricio steadied her game, matched Lee’s par-bogey finish and denied her pursuer the opening she needed to force a playoff.

The closing stretch became a test of nerve rather than a birdie barrage, and Avaricio passed with just enough to spare.

It was a victory forged through two contrasting halves: an explosive front nine that put her in control and a composed finish that kept Lee at bay when the pressure peaked.