Pucay holds on for 2-shot win at Forest Hills

Antipolo City — It was one magical Friday that changed everything for Mars Pucay. Leading from start to finish, Pucay capped a great week with a two-under-par 70 for a two-shot victory against closest pursuers Elmer Salvador and Artemio Murakami in the P1-million ICTSI-Forest Hills Championship held at the rolling Forest Hills Golf Club. Pucay, the two-time Asian circuit winner who was tied with Salvador before the start of the final round, lost his advantage after nine holes at the Palmer course before regaining ground on the 12th where Salvador and Murakami each turned in a double bogey six. The Benguet-native made birdies on Nos. 13 and 14 to go two up at the Nicklaus layout. The soft-spoken Pucay, 39, assembled a 54-hole 209 which earned him P200,000 and ended a title drought in the local circuit in the Philippine Golf Tour’s fourth leg. “When was the last time I won here? That, I can’t remember at all," said Pucay with a hearty laugh. “Honestly, I feel relieved. This will help in the busy schedule in June." He is set to star in two Asian Tour regular events in Taiwan and Thailand, the Mercedes Benz Tour’s Mount Malarayat Classic and the PGT’s Orchard Invitational. It was a sorry loss for Salvador as he went toe-to-toe until the 47th hole. He sliced his drive on the tough par-four No. 12, took a penalty drop and reached the green in four and two putted for a double bogey. “I should have used a 3-wood but I pulled out my driver. That was the difference. It was a painful decision," said the reigning Philippine Open champ, who had an even 72 in a five-under 211 worth P120,000. Murakami, who came from behind to snatch the Manila Southwoods title of the Mercedes Benz Tour recently, appeared headed for another come-from-behind win when he rallied from four shots down to move within a shot off Salvador with a five-birdie binge and a 31 after nine holes. He caught up with Salvador with a birdie on the 10th but the US Open veteran and former winner of The Country Club Invitational stumbled with a bogey on the next and also made a six on No. 12 to reel back. He closed out with a 38 for 69 and a 212 total. Benjie Magada carded a 70 for a 213 for fourth while rookie pro Antonio Asistio II turned in his best finish so far at fifth at 216 after a 70 and took home P40,000. Antonio Lascuna matched par 72 and wound up solo sixth at 217 while Jay Bayron, winner here last year, fired a 71 and finished tied for seventh with Ferdie Aunzo, who had a 72. Christopher Delos Santos made a 74 and ended up ninth at 219 while Gene Bondoc shot the day's other best score of 69 for 10th at 220. Dante Becierra emerged the top amateur for the second straight time with a 228 for joint 21st place. – JVP/Adrian Flores, GMANews.TV