Bacolod: Zamboague±o Mhark Fernando III secured the ICTSI Bacolod Junior PGT Championship, beating local favorite Eddie Gonzales Jr. by one stroke at Bacolod Golf and Country Club on Friday. He carded a 73 for a 154 total, while Gonzales posted a 71 to finish at 155.
According to Philippines News Agency, Fernando expressed his satisfaction with his performance, stating, "I stayed patient and just played my game. When the situation got tough, I didn't force things." Fernando, the son of a former national champion and touring pro, highlighted his mental resilience after a challenging double-bogey on the 10th hole. "I got nervous, but I just calmed myself down, focused on hitting fairways and greens, and settled for two-putts," he added.
Fernando's victory earned him a crucial 15 points, increasing his total to 33. This propelled him from joint sixth to No. 2 in the Visayas-Mindanao Series standings, placing him inside the top four who will advance to the Elite Junior Grand Finals at the Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country Club in Cagayan de Oro on August 17 to 20.
Ritchie Go also made headlines with an impressive final-hole birdie, sinking a 28-footer to finish with a steady 74, securing third place with a total of 158.
In the girls' 15-18 division, Lois Lane Go staged a remarkable seven-stroke comeback to edge out fellow Cebuana Tashanah Balangauan by one stroke. Go sealed her victory with a last-hole birdie, carding a 70 and achieving a 54-hole total of 155. Reflecting on her game, Go remarked, "Despite a rollercoaster round where every birdie seemed followed by a bogey, I had a good game." She emphasized the importance of her improved putting, which played a critical role in her win.
Go's victory added 35 points to her rankings total, positioning her firmly in the race for one of the four coveted berths in the grand finals. Despite the narrow loss, Balangauan officially secured the first grand finals berth with 42 total points, strengthened by her previous back-to-back triumphs at Mactan and Alta Vista. Mikela Guillermo finished a distant third, carding an 81 for a 171 total.
Other podium winners included Stephen Clementer and Ana Marie Aguilar in the 7-10 division, as well as Mico Woo and Rafella Batican in the 11-14 division.
The final leg of the six-stage Visayas-Mindanao Series is set to commence on June 8 at Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club in Bacolod City.
