Minoza posts gripping comeback

GOLF legend Frankie Minoza posted one of the most riveting comebacks in the ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour yesterday as he outlasted Rufino Bayron and Elmer Saban on the second playoff hole to win the ICTSI Wack Wack Championship at the East course in San Juan.

Minoza rallied from seven strokes down to force a sudden death, hitting two crucial birdies on Nos. 13 and 16 and a couple of clutch pars as he and Bayron shot the day’s best score of 70 while Saban wavered with a 75 in a challenging day at Wack Wack.

The troika finished tied for first at one-under 215 at the close of the 54-hole tournament as the erstwhile leaders, including Ferdie Aunzo, succumbed to pressure and the East challenge in a topsy-turvy final round that served as a fitting ending to the 16-stage circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

As Bayron bowed out after overshooting the 18th green and going out-of-bounds in the first playoff hole, Minoza failed to shake off Saban, flubbing an 18-foot birdie attempt. But he pulled through in their third stint on the par-4 finishing hole, tapping in for par then watching Saban miss a six-footer to clinch the win and log his only local crown this year worth P450,000.  Correspondent Jonas Panerio