Golf: Minoza triumphs over Rufino Bayron in playoff for TCCI crown

Frankie Minoza delivered the killer blow with an uphill putt for par inside six feet on the second playoff hole to beat Rufino Bayron in the P5-million The Country Club Invitational at the TCC course in Canlubang, Laguna on Sunday. [Related: Que, Tabuena stay on top of TCC Invitational]      The sudden death was set-up after Minoza (78), Rufino Bayron (74) and older brother Jay Bayron (71) finished with identical 283s at the end of regulation in the 72-hole championship set up by the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) in honor of founder Enrique "Don Pocholo" Razon Sr.      The initial playoff hole, on the dog-leg right, par-four No. 18, featured Minoza and the Bayrons.  However, Jay's second shot on a difficult stance on the left fairway bunker landed on the water, paving the way for the duel between Minoza, now a 53-year-old senior tour player, and Rufino, who both calmly sank their par putts.      More than the P1.5-million cash that he received, the victory-his first in the 10-year-old tournament-was a sort of a dream come true for Minoza as he beat younger guys, half his age.      "The senior was lucky today," Minoza said in jest.      That was seconded by ICTSI Chair and CEO Enrique Razon Jr. who said in the short awards ceremony: "After 10 years of waiting, you finally got the job done. I am very happy because, for the first time, I'm giving the title to someone who is older than me."      Dethroned champion Juvic Pagunsan was in the thick of the fight too, but stumbled with a bogey on the 15th, then doubled bogeyed the next as a result of a four-putt mishap to wind up with a two-over-par 72 for 284, the same score of two-day leader Angelo Que, who signed for a 70.      Meanwhile, Dottie Ardina of the ICTSI-TCC squad, collared the amateur championship with a 294 after a 78.  Cyna Rodriguez came in second with 78 for 298 followed by Jayvie Agojo's 76-300 and Lovelyn Guioguio's 75-306. - AMD, GMA News