By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Rupert Zaragosa was hailed as champion in the ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic after torrential rain brought by Severe Tropical Storm “Kristine” forced the cancellation of the third and final round at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club in Bacolod City.
The relentless downpour turned the field into an unplayable landscape, forcing the tournament to be cut down to 36 holes.
This followed an earlier decision to shorten the season-ending 72-hole event to 54 holes on October 23, due to already adverse conditions.
The tournament thus concluded after 36 holes, with Zaragosa’s second-round score of 66 completed before the storm hit, securing him a commanding six-stroke victory over Tony Lascuña and Reymon Jaraula.
Zaragosa finished with a total of six-under 134, making him the de facto winner of the week-long golf fest.
“I’m super happy with the outcome, despite the shortened tournament,” Zaragosa said.
“It would’ve been nice to finish the full 72 holes, but considering how unplayable the course became, I understand the decision. I was ready to compete in the final 18, but I’m just as thrilled to win this way,” he added.
Zaragosa’s winnings of P450,000 capped off his 2024 Philippine Golf Tour (PGT) Season, with his focus now shifting toward the upcoming ICTSI Match Play Championship at The Country Club next month.
“It’s been a challenging year for me. My game didn’t start off well, but I’m grateful I was able to finish strong and secure this win,” Zaragosa added.
While it’s not unusual for golf events to be shortened due to weather concerns, cutting a PGT event down to 36 holes is rare.
The last instance happened in 2012 at the same venue, when Zanieboy Gialon edged Lascuña in a sudden-death playoff after the tournament was shortened to 54 holes.
Looking ahead, Zaragosa has set his sights on qualifying for the Asian Tour through its Q-School in December, in hopes of expanding his career internationally.
Meanwhile, Lascuña and Jaraula, tied for second place at 140, each received P232,500.
Lascuña shot a 70, while Jaraula carded a 72.
Six players tied for fourth place at 141, including Collin Wheeler (70), Keanu Jahns (70), Russell Bautista (72), Sean Ramos (72), Francis Morilla (73), and first-round leader Michael Bibat (75), all earning P91,250 each./ASC, WDJ