Manila: Florence Bisera drained a clutch four-foot birdie putt to outlast Lois Kaye Go in a gripping three-way, four-hole playoff to capture the ICTSI Lakewood Championship crown in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija.
According to Philippines News Agency, the dramatic conclusion was set in motion earlier when Sarah Ababa sparked excitement in regulation with an audacious play on the water-guarded 18th hole. Ababa attempted to reach the green in two strokes and successfully converted a stunning birdie for a score of 68. Lois Kaye Go matched the competitive spirit with a 69, while Bisera stumbled late, ending with a 72. This left the trio tied at 210, prompting a sudden-death playoff.
In the opening playoff hole, all three competitors birdied the par-4 10th. On the second trip, Ababa made a bogey, leaving Bisera and Go head-to-head. They matched pars again, necessitating a third trip down the same hole.
During the third attempt at No. 10, Bisera executed a nearly flawless wedge shot from 120 yards, landing the ball within four feet of the cup. Meanwhile, Go's approach left her with a 24-foot birdie attempt, which narrowly missed, resulting in a par.
Bisera, showing calm determination, successfully sank her birdie putt and celebrated with a triumphant fist pump. "I'm so happy because I won the first tournament in LPGT. It's a big confidence boost as I focus on my upcoming campaign in China," Bisera expressed in a news release.
Bisera had initially entered the final round with a three-shot lead over Go but faced challenges with her putting, concluding with a score of 72 in regulation. "In the playoffs, my putting got better. I was thinking a lot about regulation - what if I don't win this?" Bisera added. She earned P146,400 for her sixth career victory, adding to her previous triumph in Thailand last year.
Go received P98,400, while Ababa took home PHP78,000. Tiffany Lee ended up in a tie for fourth at 216, alongside Harmie Constantino and Martina Mi±oza, who carded 71 and 72, respectively. Chanelle Avaricio's tournament-best 68 secured her seventh place at 218, and Daniella Uy finished eighth at 219 after a 73.
