MB Masters: Murakami comes from behind to frustrate Bayron

Carmona, Cavite — Artemio Murakami birdied the last two holes to avoid a playoff over Angelo Que, Jay Bayron and Guido Van der Valk of the Netherlands and complete a come-from-behind victory in the $60,000 Mercedes-Benz Masters Philippines held at the Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club. After a course record eight-under-par 64 in the third round, the 26-year-old Murakami was again sensational in the round as he carded a five-under-par 67 in the bunker-laden Legends course of Manila Southwoods. He tallied a 13-under 275 overall and pocketed $9,750 (P440,000). Murakami birdied the long, par-five 17th to seize a one-stroke advantage from three-day leader Bayron. Although at that point, the Filipino-Japanese was not really aware that he was on top and was only informed by the other players and the handful of fans who watched him. “I didn’t know I was in the driver seat. I wanted to finish strong and luckily, the birdies came at the right time since I wanted to score one hole at a time," said Murakami. And as a fitting end, Murakami was on target with his second shot. About 160 yards on the fairway, he pulled out a six-iron then whacked it with precision. The result was a superb approach as the ball landed a mere three feet into the cup and another birdie chance which he eventually made. “I don’t know how to describe it. But, for me, it was the shot of the day. That putt was reminiscent of the one I made when I won the Asian Tour’s Johor Open in 2007," added the visibly happy Murakami. Que, last year’s Order of Merit champ, bungled an opportunity to duel Murakami, in the Mercedes-Benz Tour’s season-opener. After a monster drive which left him just 40 yards before the green, Que’s chip-in never got the needed roll despite the slightly downhill slope of the 18th. Determined, he gave it a go but his putt from inside 20 feet just missed the cup by inches. “You can’t say I didn’t try. It was disappointing I didn’t make it. That’s golf, you win some, you lose some," said Que, who was in the company of the championship with Bayron and Mars Pucay. Que closed out with a three-under 69 for 276 and a tie for second with Bayron and Van der Valk. For Bayron, it was a classic example of a closing collapse. He held the lead for three straight days and seemed headed to his second major win the Mercedes-Benz Tour. It was meant to be, however. His downfall began at the 15th where he made a bogey. Feeling some pressure, his approach on the next hole landed on the bunker. He blasted it alright but three-putted his way to a double bogey. To make matters worse, he wound up with another dropped shot on the 17th. Bayron still had one chance for a playoff. Yet, like Que, he only managed a par on the final hole. He almost went out-of-bounds on his 170-yard second shot and with no angle to work with, he salvaged that par for a one-over-par 73. “I have to learn from this experience. Maybe, I’ll get my redemption at the MB Masters ICTSI edition in June at Mount Malarayat," said a disappointed Bayron. Pucay ended two strokes at 277 behind the winner after shooting an even 72. Rookie pro Nicholas Fung from Malaysia enjoyed a fine debut on the MB Tour when he returned with a two-under 70 and tied for sixth. Thailand’s Namchok Tantipokhakul, last year’s Mercedes-Benz Tour Order of Merit winner, fired a 71 to finish six adrift of Murakami along with his compatriot and deposed champion Wisut Artjanawat, who came in with a 73. Miguel Tabuena, 15, closed with a 68 to finish as the leading amateur on three-under for the tournament. – Adrian Flores, GMANews.TV