Golf: Bayron beats Tabuena in two-hole playoff in Baguio

Jay Bayron finally ended his streak of unsuccessful two-year campaign in the domestic ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour by winning the P2.5-million John Hay Championship at the Camp John Hay Golf Club in Baguio City. [Related: Tabuena stays ahead in ICTSI Camp John Hay Championship]              With birdies on three of the five holes coming home in regulation for a four-under 64, Bayron tied Miguel Tabuena atop the leaderboard on a course record 23-under 249 at the par-68 Nicklaus layout.              Bayron’s birdie putt from 10 feet on the 18th sealed the playoff with the third-year pro Tabuena, who missed a game-winning putt inside eight feet also on the same hole.              Both made pars on the first sudden death hole, the par-three number 15.   Bayron pulled out his 4-iron and delivered a superb approach from 210 yards on No. 16 and reached the green in two for an eagle chance.  He missed it but still signed for a birdie that put pressure on Tabuena. As a result, Tabuena missed the green on his second shot then flubbed a long putt for birdie to extend the match. Bayron earned P450,000 while Tabuena, winner of last month’s season-opening leg at Sherwood Hills, brought home P320,000. “I didn’t expect to win this one. I’ve never done this before, to come back from a such big deficit,” said Bayron in Filipino, who turned 34 on Thursday. Jhonnel Ababa rallied with three straight birdies and finished with a 63 for solo third at 251 worth P210,000 while Rufino Bayron shot a 61 for fourth at 253 and took home P150,000 in the event sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc. Richard Sinfuego also turned in a swashbuckling 60 to jump from out of nowhere to solo fifth at 255 and won P110,000 while the Srixon-backed Michael Bibat and Clyde Mondilla both carded 65s and ended tied for sixth at 256. Each got P87,500. Tony Lascuna wound up eighth at 258 after a 67 and received P70,000 while Rey Pagunsan set a new course record 58, erasing Carl Santos-Ocampo’s 59 last year, to share ninth place at 260 with Christopher delos Santos (66), Randy Garalde (66) and Elmer Salvador (67). Each received P50,125. - AMD, GMA News