LUBAO, Pampanga – Ryuji Suzuki solidified his position as the standout player in the 8-10 division of the Junior Philippine Golf Tour with a hard-fought victory, thwarting Jose Luis Espinosa for the second straight time with a 71 at the Pradera Verde Golf and Country Club here.
Mirroring his performance from the first round, Suzuki added more brilliance to his game Wednesday, May 29.
After posting a two-birdie, two-bogey card Tuesday, he delivered four birdies against three bogeys, finishing a 36-35 for a 36-hole total of 143, and claiming supremacy in the JPGT Luzon Series 2.
“It feels great to win back-to-back. It’s truly an honor,” said Suzuki, who attributed his early success in the series organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., aimed at developing young talent and boosting the sport’s popularity across the country, to diligent practice, especially on his short game.
A clutch birdie on the closing par-5 hole secured Suzuki’s two-stroke victory over Espinosa, who mounted a late charge with birdies on Nos. 12 and 15 and an eagle on the last. Despite Espinosa’s strong finish for a 72, he fell short again with a 145 total.
Monte Andaman wound up third with a 175 after an 83.
Suzuki also edged Espinosa by one in the series’ kickoff leg at Splendido Taal two weeks ago.
In the girls’ side of the youngest category of the three-division series sponsored by ICTSI, Georgina Handog made an impressive JPGT debut with a commanding four-stroke triumph over first-leg winner Maurysse Abalos despite a closing 81.
Handog, who started the final round with a huge nine-shot lead, endured nine bogeys in a birdie-less round but still captured the crown with a 168 aggregate. Abalos, finished with a 76 marked by four birdies, six bogeys and a double bogey, for a 172.
She also expressed gratitude to her supporters for their help with her swing, which was instrumental in her becoming a champion.
Athalea Espedido placed third with a 198 after 100.
In the premier 15-18 category spread over 72 holes, Jiwon Lee extended her overnight 12-stroke lead to 18, despite slowing down with a 72 following a fiery 66 for a six-under 138 total. Reese Ng continued to struggle, finishing with a second 78 for a 156, while Lia Duque pooled a 162 after an 80.
This sets the stage for another dominant title run by Lee, who previously claimed a 13-stroke victory over Duque at Splendido Taal.
The competition for the boys’ 15-18 title remains intense with Tristan Padilla mounting a remarkable comeback from seven shots down, putting in a 71 and catching up with Shinichi Suzuki at the helm halfway through the four-day tournament.
Initially in third place after 18 holes, Padilla scored a 37 in the third nine, capitalizing on Suzuki’s inconsistent 42 to narrow the gap to just two shots. Despite a setback on the 12th hole, Padilla finished strong with three birdies in the last six holes, countering Suzuki’s rollercoaster 36 that featured two birdies against the same number of bogeys.
Suzuki’s round of 78 allowed Padilla to pull even at 148 while Mark Kobayashi, previously in second place, stood two strokes behind with a 150 after a 74.
Santino Pineda also stayed in strong contention, assembling a 152 after a 73.
