KOREAN Shin Jin Woo held steadfast in the face of the comeback tries by Cebuano Gio Gandionco and Andres Saldana as he carded a 73 to win by two over Jonar Austria even as Dottie Ardina dominated the rest of the girl’s field on her way to a five-shot win over Sunshine Baraquiel at the close of the WWWExpress-DHL Amateur Golf Championships at Cangolf’s north course in Laguna yesterday.
Shin kept his pursuers at bay with crucial par putts and a birdie on the ninth hole for a 35 on the front nine that took the winds out of the sails of Saldana and Gandionco, who at the time, inched their way to within two and three shots, respectively.
Not even a shaky windup could stop Shin from wrapping up the crown as Saldana and Gandionco failed to recover and limped home with 75 and 74, respectively, enabling the Royal Northwoods bet to cruise to the win despite a 38 and a 73 for a 72-hole total of 295.
Still, Gandionco was pretty proud of his placing in the tournament especially after his first two rounds which were shaky at best.
Ardina, on the other hand, booked another win in the run-up to her title defense in the Queen Sirikit Cup next month, shooting a 74 for a 219 and beating Baraquiel by five in the girls’ side.. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio