By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Simon Wahing overcame early challenges and survived a late stumble to clinch the boys’ 16-18 category title at the ICTSI-Junior Philippine Golf Tour (JPGT) Visayas Series 3 at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club on Thursday afternoon, July 4.

The 16-year-old Wahing’s impressive performance not only earned him a wire-to-wire victory with 307 total, but it also advanced him to the Philippine Junior Match Play Championship.

Wahing, who overcame a double-bogey on no. 15 and bucked a bogey-bogey windup, completed the 72-hole tournament in impressive fashion, pulling away by five with a frontside 37.

Bryce Lacida settled for second place with 310, also after an eight-over card.

“I struggled at the front and became nervous when Lacida moved closer,” said the Bukidnon-native Wahing, who was delighted to be able to bounce back after losing in the Murcia leg last week.

Dominique Gotiong finished with 80 for a total score of 326 to clinch the girls crown, far ahead of Iloilo leg titlist Rhiena Sinfuego, who totaled 395 after 93.

Breanna Rojas placed third with 419 after shooting 105.

“I think I did better here at Marapara than at the Bacolod Golf and Country Club because the course here is wider,” Gotiong said.

“I need to gain more distance and improve my short game, particularly my putting,” she added.

Meanwhile, Sinfuego, who competed in the two Bacolod legs through sponsorships, secured the other berth in the head-to-head finals with a 27-point haul.

The Iloilo native expressed concern, not only about her preparations, but also her capability to compete in Manila.

Other finalists from the three-leg Visayas series were Eliana Mendoza, Ana Marie Aguilar, Kvan Alburo, Tobias Tiongko (8-9), Zuri Bagaloyos, Cailey Gonzales, Race Manhit, Kurt Flores (10-12), Tiffany Bernardino, Rane Chiu, Nyito Tiongko, and Inno Flores (13-15)./ASC, WDJ