Tagalog
– After six long months of ups and downs, Sarah Ababa finally found herself back in the winner's circle, this time sa ICTSI Iloilo Golf Challenge. Ang Davaoeña veteran player showed grit and determination all the way to her victory, kahit medyo shaky ang final round niya with a 76, secured na ang title nitong Thursday.
Iba ito sa naging dramatic comeback niya sa Apo Classic noong March, where she won sa huling rounds pa. Dito, she managed to control the lead from start to finish. Sa buong week ng event, the third-to-last leg of the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour, steady lang siya kahit nahirapan din sa tricky layout ng Iloilo Golf and Country Club.
After 15 holes, may three-stroke lead na si Ababa, and even though nag-bogey siya sa 16th at 18th holes, her challengers, including Chihiro Ikeda, couldn’t close the gap. A three-day total of seven-over-par 217 was enough for Ababa to bag the win. Ikeda tried to make a late surge, pero medyo na-dulas din sa back nine, finishing just one stroke behind at 218.
“Hindi ko in-expect to kasi nahirapan ako sa putting today kumpara sa first two rounds,” sabi ni Ababa in Filipino after securing her second win this year. “Pero I think ang sikreto lang is perseverance at yung patience.”
Kahit maraming missed opportunities, especially sa six-foot putts, she managed to make crucial pars when it counted. She also felt her father, former Tour player Edgar Ababa, brought some luck as her caddie. “Swerte siguro kasi daddy ko nag-caddie sa akin sa parehong panalo ko. Pero alam ko na marami pa akong pwedeng i-improve, lalo na sa putting.”
This second victory is a great cap sa medyo rollercoaster stretch niya. Earlier this season, she tied for second sa Palos Verdes at nag-fifth sa Caliraya Springs. Pero consistency was a challenge, with many finishes outside the top 10. It wasn’t until her tie for third at Forest Hills last month na bumalik yung confidence niya going into this week’s event, organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.
For her win, she earned the P130,000 prize. Si Ikeda naman, who came close again after a playoff loss at the Lakewood Championship, settled for second with P85,000. Mafy Singson made a strong push with a 68, tying with Mikha Fortuna for third at 219. They shared the combined P138,000 prize.
Other finishers include Chanelle Avaricio in fifth at 220, Daniella Uy who shot 69 for solo sixth at 221, and a three-way tie sa seventh between Kayla Nocum, Gretchen Villacencio, and Princess Superal at 222.
Splendido Taal leg champ Jiwon Lee rounded out the top 10 with a 72 for a total of 226.
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