RELATED STORIES Danny Chia claims inaugural ASEAN title Established names among first ASEAN Tour field ASEAN Golf Tour launched with five tournaments 2007 ASEAN Golf Tour schedule MORE ASIAN GOLF NEWS Han Will Speak At IHT Sports Summit Volvik Agree With Asian Tour Over Sponsorship Memories Inspire Rai In Singapore Break Gives Mamat Route To Success Singapore Classic Welcomes Kia Motors PGA Malaysia Moves To OneAsia CCM Extends Sponsorship Of Impian Masters Faldo To Play In Pro-Am In Cambodia NEWS & TOUR TOP STORIES Nick Faldo receives his Knighthood LPGA wins Wendy's 3-Tour Challenge Mickelson raises expectations for 2010 Race to Dubai nears its conclusion Thousands follow Tiger Woods practice round Fans warned about fake Ryder Cup tickets

Mars Pucay conquers Mount Malarayat

Local hero Mars Pucay fired a final round four-under-par 68 to win the Active Mount Malarayat Championship.

He blitzed the Malarayat layout to snuff out the challenge of countryman Orlan Sumcad, the overnight co-leader, in the US$30,000 event.

Pucay posted a four-round total of eight-under-par 280 to win by three strokes from Rey Pagunsan, who closed with a 69. Sumcad carded a 72 for a share of third place with amateur Ferdinand Aunzo.

Pagunsan, two shots adrift at the start of the day, put pressure on Pucay with an eagle three at the 17th hole that took him to within a stroke of the lead.

But he bogeyed the last after missing the green with his approach and Pucay finished in style with back-to-back birdies to claim victory in the second leg of the ASEAN Golf Tour and pocket a cheque for US$4,895.

“I just felt that there were some holes on the course that I had to play aggressively,” said the 36-year-old Pucay. “This is a good send off for me considering that the big legs of the Asian Tour are coming up (with the US$4 million Barclays Singapore Open from November 1-4).”

Flu-stricken second round leader Artemio Murakami, the winner of the Johor Open on the Asian Tour in August, turned in another 74 to finish on level par 288. Jun Rates, like Sumcad a local club professional, ended another shot back after also closing with a 74.

Danny Zarate, who was in second place after the first round, carded a final round 69 to finish alongside Asian Tour regular Angelo Que in joint eighth place.

No overseas players finished in the top 10 with Malaysian M. Sasidaran claiming a share of 11th spot with Marvin Dumandan on 291.

Dumandan suffered a spirit-crushing setback in the first leg of the Tour in Indonesia when he surrendered a seven-stroke lead on the final day to lose yhe International Championship presented by Telkomsel to the fast-finishing Danny Chia of Malaysia.

Leading final scores (Philippines unless stated):

280 – M. Pucay 71-72-69-68
283 – R. Pagunsan 75-69-70-69
284 – O. Sumcad 70-71-71-72, F. Aunzo (A) 71-73-69-71
288 – A. Murakami 71-69-74-74, J. Bayron (A) 73-72-68-75
289 – J. Rates 73-73-69-74
290 – D. Zarate 69-75-77-69, A. Que 72-76-71-71, M. Bibat (A) 75-72-72-71
291 – M. Sasidaran (Mal) 73-72-73-72, M. Dumandan 74-74-73-70
292 – D. Sanchez 82-69-72-69, N. Vichittryuthasastr (Tha) 68-74-76-74, J. Delariarte 71-76-70-75, N. Tantipokhakul (Tha) 73-71-73-75
293 – R. Sinfuego 71-77-71-74, R. Jamnong (Tha) 70-75-73-75, A. Lascuna 72-72-74-75, R. Pactolerin 72-78-75-69, P. Minoza 77-73-69-75

October 20, 2007