Finally, Go nails first title as pro

DAVAO, Philippines — With a commanding lead, Lloyd Go turned the final round of the ICTSI Palos Verdes Championship into a victory lap Friday, essaying a four-stroke victory over Michael Bibat and Guido van der Valk despite a 74 at the Rancho Palos Verdes and Sports Club.

Go’s 65 in the third round gave him a significant eight-stroke advantage over Nilo Salahog, Sean Ramos and Angelo Que. But he had a slow start and needed a clutch birdie on the par-3 17th to secure the victory.

The 28-year-old Seton Hall U product expressed his joy at finally breaking through after years of playing professionally.

“I’ve been playing for so many years and haven’t won,” said Go, who turned pro in 2018. He won with a 12-under 276 total worth P350,000.

Bibat’s near-flawless 66 and Van der Valk’s eagle-aided 65 narrowed the gap to just three shots in the final stretch. They wound up with identical 280s and halved the combined P360,000 pot for second and third places.

Keanu Jahns rallied with a 69 to tie Salahog, (71), at fourth at 281 while Ira Alido finished at sixth spot with 283 in the event supported by PGTI official apparel Kampfortis Golf.