An dominates ICTSI Forest Hills golf tilt

ANTIPOLO – Junior golfer Yunju An showcased remarkable composure and talent well beyond her years, claiming a dominant seven-stroke win over Gretchen Villacencio despite a closing 74 in the ICTSI Forest Hills Ladies Classic at the Nicklaus course here on Friday.

The 13-year-old Korean prodigy not only withstood a fierce challenge from her compatriot Jiwon Lee early on, but also did so with remarkable composure and skill that left both her competitors and spectators in awe.

An wrapped up the 54-hole tournament with an impressive three-over 216 total, which included a remarkable two-under 69 in the second round, securing a commanding victory over Villacencio, who carded a 73 for a 223.

Apo leg winner Sarah Ababa matched par with a 71 to tie Miya Legaspi, who shot a 73, at third place with 224s, while Chihiro Ikeda finished in fifth place with a 226 after posting a 75.

Lee, who started the final round in second place, five strokes behind An, made a strong push early on and pulled within one stroke of the leader. However, her charge faltered in the final stretch as she stumbled through a double bogey-bogey-double bogey run at the finish, ending up with an 80.

She dropped to a tie for sixth at 227 alongside fellow Korean Seoyun Kim, who carded a 74.

Three-leg winner Harmie Constantino rallied with a 73 to earn a share of eighth place at 228 alongside Laurea Duque, who posted a 74, while Florence Bisera also mounted a comeback with a 73 to tie Mafy Singson, who put in a 74, at 10th place with 229.

While An dominated the field with her stellar performance, Villacencio, Ababa and Legaspi battled fiercely for runner-up honors and the top prize of P130,000.

In the end, Villacencio edged out her rivals with a par on the final hole, as Ababa and Legaspi’s late birdie and eagle on No. 16, respectively, left them just one stroke short. Ababa and Legaspi halved the combined P165,000 second and third prizes.

Meanwhile, not even a bogey-bogey finish could derail An’s march to victory, as she had built a comfortable cushion over her more seasoned opponents with birdies on the long 10th and 16th holes.

An’s triumph underscored the immense power she possesses at such a young age.