TRECE MARTIRES, Cavite \u00ad\u2013 Precious Zaragosa secured the top spot in dominant fashion, gaining the confidence and momentum she needs as she heads into the highly-anticipated ICTSI Junior Match Play Championships.<\/p>\n
Zaragosa closed out the Luzon Series 7 at Sherwood Hills Golf Club on Thursday with a 77, clinching the girls’ 13-15 division title with a 54-hole total of 234, and solidifying her top ranking in her age category after the seven-leg Luzon series.<\/p>\n
In what began as a close contest with Kendra Garingalao in intermittent rains, Zaragosa pulled away in the last nine holes, turning the fierce duel into a convincing nine-stroke victory.<\/p>\n
Winner of previous legs at Splendido Taal and Luisita, Zaragosa’s consistency paid off, vaulting past twin sisters Liza and Mona Sarines in the final rankings.<\/p>\n
Only the best four scores counted, and the top four players in each age division \u2013 including the 8-9, 10-12, and 16-18 groups \u2013 advanced to the Match Play Finals, set for Oct. 1-4 at The Country Club in Laguna.<\/p>\n
Levonne Talion, who did not compete this week along with the Sarines sisters, secured the last spot, while Alexie Gabi also advanced in the category through the multiple series format.<\/p>\n
Looking ahead to the finals, 13-year-old Zaragosa stressed the importance of sharpening her short game as she prepares for the challenging TCC layout.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll be focusing on my short game for the finals,\u201d said Zaragosa, after weathering a tough day-long battle with Garingalao.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was really challenging going up against Kendra, especially since this is her home course and she has a clear advantage on the greens,\u201d she added. \u201cI played it safe the entire round and concentrated on my putting, which made the difference.\u201d<\/p>\n
Zaragosa\u2019s disciplined approach and focus on the finer aspects of her game reflect her determination to rise to the occasion in the upcoming championship.<\/p>\n
Tied with Zaragosa after 36 holes, Garingalao was unable to match Zaragosa’s steady play. After both posted 42s at the front nine, Zaragosa closed strong with a 35, while Garingalao faltered with a 44, including a double bogey on the last hole.<\/p>\n
Garingalao wound up with an 86, finishing second with a total of 243. Montserrat Lapuz placed third after an 87 for a 257.<\/p>\n
While the girls\u2019 title race ended in a dominant performance, the boys’ 13-15 division was decided in dramatic fashion. Mount Malarayat stage winner John Paul Agustin Jr. held on to sweep the final two legs of the series despite a late collapse, surviving Jose Carlos Taruc by just one stroke.<\/p>\n
Agustin, who carded an 81, suffered a disastrous bogey-double bogey finish. Taruc, starting the final round five strokes behind, staged a thrilling rally, highlighted by an eagle-3 on No. 12.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
TRECE MARTIRES, Cavite \u00ad\u2013 Precious Zaragosa secured the top spot in dominant fashion, gaining the confidence and momentum she needs as she heads into the highly-anticipated ICTSI Junior Match Play Championships. Zaragosa closed out the Luzon Series 7 at Sherwood Hills Golf Club on Thursday with a 77, clinching the girls’ 13-15 division title with…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2195,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[201],"class_list":["post-2194","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-ictsi-juniors-pgt"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t