Zanieboy Gialon snapped a three-year title drought in style as he won the ICTSI Calatagan Golf Challenge by 6 after closing out with a 5-under 67 at the Calatagan Golf Club in Batangas.
It was the first lopsided victory in this year’s circuit marked by one-shot triumphs and a playoff finish as Gialon came through with a brilliant third day of 66 that signaled his comeback.
With his near-impeccable final round effort, Gialon finished with a 16-under 272 total worth P450,000.
Two birdies in the first four holes enabled Gialon to pull away from Tony Lascuna before highlighting his round with three more birdies on his way to his fourth career victory in the P2.5 million event sponsored by ICTSI.
Jhonnel Ababa settled for second place at 278 after recovering from a disastrous third round 73 with a 66. He pocketed P320,000 in the event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.
Lascuña finished third after a 72 and 280 while Jun Bernis fought back with a 68 to snatch fourth place at 281.
They received P180,000 and P140,000, respectively.
Rufino Bayron, the other player in the championship flight, failed to sustain a third round 67 with a 73, dropping to joint fifth at 282 with Clyde Mondilla, winner of the last two Philippine Golf Tour events, who rallied with three birdies in the last eight holes for a 70. Each took home P102,500.
