By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
In-form Rico Hoey shot a vibrant 5-under-par 66 to finish tied for third in the Shriners Children’s Open in Las Vegas, Nevada over the weekend.
Born in Manila before moving to Rancho Cucamonga in California at a young age, Hoey gunned down six birdies at the TPC Summerlin – including four at the back nine – against a single bogey on the par-4 10th hole for a four-round total of 19-under 265, three strokes behind eventual champion J.T. Poston.
Hoey, who started representing the Philippines in the PGA Tour only this year, opened his campaign with a first-round 64, then kept it consistent with a 66 and a 69 in the succeeding rounds.
He finished tied with German Matti Schmid and pocketed $413,000 (around P23.6 million)
It was Hoey’s fourth Top 4 finish since turning professional in 2017, though he came close to winning his first PGA title at the ISCO Championship in July in Kentucky when he wound up tied for second after a five-player playoff.
Prior to the tournament, the 29-year-old Hoey placed at joint 21st at the Black Desert Championship in Utah last week.
Meanwhile, Poston leaned on a burst of birdies to build a comfortable lead, finishing with a 4-under 67 for a one-shot victory.
He had five birdies before he bogeyed the final hole to finish with a 262 total, one shot ahead of Doug Ghim, who fired a closing round 65.
