Murakami ends slump, tops Canlubang Golf tilt

ARTEMIO MURAKAMI ended a year-long slump with an impressive eight-shot victory as he closed the P1-million BDO Canlubang Golf Invitational with six-under 66 at Cangolf’s south course here in Canlubang, Laguna.

Murakami whisked off a token challenge from Tomokazu Yoshinaga of Japan with a solid 33 at the front then strolled to the year’s second most lopsided victory with no one from among his pursuers able to put up a fight.

He wound up with a 14-under 202 total and won by eight over Richard Sinfuego and Jerson Balasabas, who had 210s after a pair of 68s, for the second biggest margin of victory next to Elmer Salvador’s 12-shot win, over Murakami and Mars Pucay, at ICTSI Sherwood last September. It was also his first win on the three-year-old ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour.

Although the top P120,000 purse hardly boosted his ranking in the Order of Merit— he moved up to No. 10—the win should fire up the 28-year-old Fil-Japanese heading to the final leg of the 16-stage circuit, organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournament Inc., at Wack Wack on Nov. 23 to 25.

Murakami used a course-record eight-under 64 to launch his bid in the 54-hole tournament and remained in firm control as the rest failed to press on their respective bids. Correspondent Jonas Panerio