Murakami caps record-breaking feat with TCC Invitational crown

MANILA, Philippines – Artemio Murakami returned to fine form Sunday carding a two-under-par 68 to cap his record-breaking performance in The Country Club International at the TCC course in Sta. Rosa City, Laguna. Murakami tallied 269 in four days, for a whopping 13-stroke win over 2007 champion Angelo Que in the event held at the windswept TCC course and staged by the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI). It also marked the first time that Murakami will hold title and is now in the company of friends like former winners Que, Juvic Pagunsan and Jerome Delariarte. Murakami, who’ll take a break next week to prepare for the opening of the 2009 Asian Tour season in Thailand, credits his opening-day eight-under-par 62 as the key to his TCC success. “That 62 was the difference. It gave me the boost and confidence in the next three days. I’m happy to win this one because, now, I’m the company of my friends who were champions here before," said Murakami, referring to guys like Pagunsan (2008), Que (2007) and Delariate (2005). Que finished with a three-over 73 and salvaged runner-up honors with 282. “I’m surprised to be at No. 2. Still, it feels great because of the brutal conditions in the last two rounds," said Que, who went home with P685,000. Danny Zarate (70), Mars Pucay (73) and Delariarte (71) were in a three-way tie for third with 283s. Each received P326,667 in the event which was the first leg of the fledging Philippine Golf Tour (PGT) revived by ICTSI in 2008 ICTSI golf team member Rufino Bayron was the best amateur participant with a 284 total despite a nine-over 79 Sunday to defeat the 78-287 of teammate Anya Tanpinco. Ferdinand Aunzo, the reigning national amateur champion, finished third with 79-288. – GMANews.TV Scores: 269 – Artemio Murakami (62-70-69-68) 282 – Angelo Que (67-72-70-73) 283 – Danny Zarate (70-72-71-70) 283 – Jerome Delariarte (72-73-67-71) 283 – Mars Pucay (69-74-67-73) 284 – Rufino Bayron* (68-68-69-79) 286 – Orlan Sumcad (71-69-73-73) 287 – Jay Bayron (68-70-71-78) 287 – Anya Tanpinco* (71-70-68-78) 288 – Robert Pactolerin (71-74-71-72) 288 – Elmer Salvador (69-72-70-77) 288 – Rey Pagunsan (68-72-71-77) 288 – Ferdinand Aunzo* (70-70-69-79) 291 – Marlon Dizon (69-74-72-76) 291 – Juvic Pagunsan (69-75-69-78) 292 – Michael Bibat (71-71-70-80) 292 – Anthony Fernando* (72-69-74-77) 292 – Antonio Asistio* (69-68-79-76) 294 – Frankie Miñoza (72-75-72-75) 294 – Benjie Magada (70-75-71-78) 295 – Antonio Lascuna (71-75-74-75) 295 – Chihiro Ikeda* (71-72-69-83) 296 – Richard Sinfuego (74-72-76-74) 297 – Rolando Marabe (72-75-74-76) 297 – Cookie La’O (73-74-70-80) 297 – Gene Bondoc (73-71-72-81) 298 – Ebarra Quiachon (71-76-75-76) 300 – Louise Manalo* (75-68-75-82) 301 – Ramil Bisera (77-70-75-79) * amateur