Golf: Salvador rules Sherwood Hills to end title search this season

Trece Martires City—Elmer Salvador's search for a maiden win this season ended on Saturday when he survived a gritty stand by veteran Antonio Lascuna and Cassius Casas in the finals duel pitting three Davaoeños in the P2.5-million ICTSI-Sherwood Hills Classic in Cavite. The 42-year-old Salvador bucked a double bogey on the 16th with a birdie-birdie finish for a three-under-par 69 and 276 to pocket the P450,000 winner's pot in the third ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour leg organized by the Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. Salvador's three-putt mishap on the uphill No. 16, a par three hole, gave the 39-year-old Asian Tour veteran Lascuna the chance to catch up. But the latter could not cash in, making only a bogey, though he cut Salvador's lead to one with two holes left at the Nicklaus layout. However, Salvador was not to be denied with those birdies on the 17th from about three feet and on the 18th from about six feet as the former lake boy at the Apo Golf Club in Davao successfully defended the crown he won at the same course last year. "By the time I birdied the 17th, I knew I am going to win," said Salvador, who raised his fists as soon as the ball dropped into the hole. Lascuna put on a gallant stand with a five-under-par 67 and a 279 overall for P320,000.  Although he knew the game could have gone the other way. He bungled a birdie try on the 13th from three and a half feet then missed a par-save on the next from exactly the same distance. "Those putts were crucial for me," he said. Jay Bayron also had a 67 to cop third place with a 283 worth P210,00 while Jun Bernis also rallied with a 70 to tie a fading Casas at fourth at 286, with each getting P130,000. LJ Go droppe to a 77 for joint 13th at 295 but took the low amateur honors just the same, edging John Kier Abdon, who had a 296 after a 76. — JVP, GMA News