Fernando wins P2.5M ICTSI golf

FORMER national champion Mark Fernando stepped up his game when he needed to the most as he sank several clutch putts to down Jessie Balasabas, with a 71 and capture the P2.5 million ICTSI Riviera Classic at Langer Course in Cavite yesterday.

Fernando led by as many as five strokes in the final round and finally broke a two-year drought since winning the Calatagan Challenge in 2011.

The 32-year-old Fernando pooled a 72-hole total of four-under 280 aggregate and secured his biggest earning to date worth P450,000.

For a while, it seemed as if Balasabas would make it interesting as he came within two strokes with back-to-back birdies. However, he faded back after three-putting the 17th hole, to virtually seal the win for Fernando. He settled for a 70 for second at 283 and pocketed the biggest winnings in his chosen sport worth P320,000. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio