PHL Amateur Open: Wang cruises to victory; Unson wins 1st title

Korean expatriate Wang Jeung-hun cruised to victory in the men's division while rising amateur Andrea Unson rallied in the final 18 to nail her first women's individual title in the 2011 Philippine Amateur Open Championship at the wind-raked Langer course of Riviera Golf Club in Silang, Cavite. Wang held an eight-shot lead on Thursday that put a virtual lock on his maiden win in the Phil Am event, organized by the National Golf Association of the Philippines (NGAP). He slowed down with a five-over-par 76 for a 290 total, bugged to no end by the strong winds and hard pin placements. Still, the young 15-year-old Riviera regular sealed a six-stroke win over Filipino Jobim Carlos. Carlos turned in a three-over 74 and 296 while third placer John Kier Abdon submitted an 80 for 307. Zanie Boy Gialon was in fourth with 74-310. Art Arbole (77-311) completed the top five. Kenneth Kano, also of the Philippines, shot the round of the tournament, a 67, and barged into the Top 10, finishing in a tie for ninth with Korean Jung Han-mil, who fired a 74 for identical 314s. While Wang had an easier time, Unson's case was the exact opposite. Down by 10 against Chihiro Ikeda at the start of the last round, the 14-year-old quiet lass from Sta. Mesa used a methodical approach to beat the winds to score three birdies and the same number of bogeys for an even 71 to wipe out the deficit as Ikeda skied to an 82. In the end, Unson tallied a 225. Dottie Ardina came through with a 75 for 226, Ikeda's same output, but was declared runner-up because of a better score for the day. "I targeted for a decent finish because I knew I was a bit behind Ikeda. It really came as a surprise when my mom Peachy and dad Rene told me I won," said the ever-smiling Unson. For Ikeda, it was a sorry loss. "These things happen in golf, even to the best of them. Andie played well and I did not, that's the reality. I have to forget about this and move on." Thailand's Pavarisa Yoktuan, an aspirant of her national team, fired a 77 to finish five strokes behind the champion. Next up in the NGAP's calendar are the Philippine Men's and Junior Closed Amateur championships to be hosted by Wack Wack and Alabang, respectively. – Adrian Flores, JVP, GMA News