Lascuña leads Splendido Taal as Lee wins stormy pro debut

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LAUREL, Batangas – Tony Lascuña emerged as the leader in the third round of the ICTSI Splendido Taal Championship, overcoming an hour-long weather delay and the formidable course challenges on Thursday.

Displaying his experience and composure, Lascuña finished with a bogey-free 67, which included birdies on Nos. 13 and 15, netting him a two-stroke lead over LJ Go with a 204 total.

Pushed back by the suspended second round on Wednesday, the third round faced another hour delay due to heavy rains and a lightning threat. However, when play resumed late in the afternoon, it was the resilient Lascuña who thrived, outperforming opponents half his age.

“Playing against young rivals, I just enjoyed the game,” said Lascuña in Pilipino, downplaying his impressive round under such trying conditions, including challenging winds. “The weather really hurts my back when it gets wet, but I’m still happy with how I played.”

Holding a two-stroke advantage with a 12-under aggregate, the four-time Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit winner remained cautious about his chances for another victory but emphasized the importance of staying focused amid the expected charge from younger competitors.

“I don’t mind the scores or who is chasing me. At my age, it’s just fairways and greens, and if given the chance to make a birdie, I hope I can capitalize on it,” added Lascuña.

Close on his heels is Go, who initially took control with a flawless frontside 33 and solidified his lead with back-to-back birdies from No. 10 before the weather interruption. Unfortunately, Go’s long game faltered after resumption, resulting in bogeys on Nos. 14 and 15. He, however, managed to save a 68, trailing Lascuña by two strokes at 206.

“After the break, I think I didn’t warm up enough and hit way right into the trees on No. 14. I punched out and made a bogey,” rued Go, also mentioning errors on bad drives and recovery difficulties.

Nevertheless, he managed a lucky birdie from long range on No. 16 and plans an aggressive approach in his bid to become the first two-leg winner this season following a runaway triumph at Palos Verdes.

PGT Q-School topnotcher Aidric Chan also made a strong bid for his first career breakthrough, coming through with a four-birdie streak in five holes from No. 7. Despite a bogey on the 13th, Chan finished with a 69, placing him at third at 208, four strokes behind Lascuña, while earning a spot in the championship flight for the first time.

“I pushed my tee shot and failed to make up and down,” said Chan of his lone error. He also cited missed putts on Nos. 11 and 12 as setbacks.

“My eagle putt from 16 feet on the 11th and a four-footer for birdie on the next both lipped out. And those slowed me down, followed by a bogey. From there, I struggled to get back but stayed level until the finish,” Chan added.

Further back, Keanu Jahns carded a 70, placing him fourth at 209, while Russell Bautista surged with a 67 for solo fifth place at 211 followed by Fidel Concepcion and Angelo Que, who matched 72s and 212s, and Sean Ramos (71), Dino Villanueva (72), Kim Tae Soo (73), Rupert Zaragosa (73) and Daiya Suzuki (74). Although the remaining contenders might seem too far behind to challenge for the championship, the unpredictable nature of the Splendido Taal course ensures that no lead is entirely secure.

LEE WINS LPGT SPLENDIDO

Meanwhile, Jiwon Lee marked her professional debut in style, besting a stellar field in stormy conditions to win the ICTSI Splendido Taal Championship straight from the junior golf ranks.

Her victory was particularly noteworthy as she conquered severe conditions she rarely encountered in her junior career, coming through with a run of resolute pars to save a 72 and edge out Mikha Fortuna by one stroke, finishing with a two-over 218 total.

The 16-year-old Korean prodigy showcased immense talent, determination, and skills honed through her Junior PGT experience, rising above the challenges to become the champion of the sixth leg of this year’s Ladies PGT.

Despite slipping into a joint lead with Fortuna after both matched birdies on the 10th and 13th holes at resumption following an hour-long weather delay, Lee’s poise and determination shone through.

Fortuna, who had sustained her charge with another birdie on the 15th to tie, succumbed to pressure and conceded a costly stroke with a flubbed par-putt from close range on the 16th. Seizing the opportunity, Lee closed out with grace and composure rarely seen in such inexperienced players, matching Fortuna’s pars in the last two holes to clinch the victory.

“I’m incredibly happy with this win, especially as a professional this time,” said Lee, who earned PHP 101,250 for her first paycheck. “I’m extremely grateful to be the champion. This achievement was completely unexpected, and I’m still very excited.”

Fortuna finished with a 71 for a 219 total, earning PHP 67,500, while Florence Bisera rallied with a 73 to tie Marvi Monsalve, who carded a 75, for third place at 223, each receiving PHP 56,250. Min Yeong Kim scored a 75 to share fifth place at 226 with 2022 champion Mafy Singson, who faltered with a 76. Harmie Constantino and Laurea Duque matched 74s for a share of seventh at 228.

Lee’s victory was her second consecutive win at Splendido Taal, having topped the JPGT Luzon Series I’s premier division last May. This win not only eased her anxiety about her first professional tournament but also earned her a place among the elite circle of LPGT winners.

“With Mikha playing so well, I really had to catch up. I got a bit nervous because she was hitting it close to the pin, but I focused on competing against myself rather than anyone else,” said Lee of her experience during the final stretch. Putting from six feet on the last hole to secure the victory, Lee admitted, “My hands were literally shaking. I tried to stay calm and maintain my composure, especially mentally.”

She drained the putt and ascended to the top of the podium, a victory expected to further bolster the young shotmaker’s talent, skills, and confidence as she aims for more wins in future LPGT tournaments.

“My goal is to make it to the Match Play Championship later in the season,” said Lee, who also expressed gratitude to her parents, coaches, friends, and supporters for their role in her breakthrough.