Ramos cops ICTSI Lakewood crown

CABANATUAN CITY – Sean Ramos brandished remarkable composure, overcoming two of the Philippine Golf Tour’s esteemed players to clinch the ICTSI Lakewood Championship crown with a brilliant 67 here Friday.

Facing stiff competition from seasoned rivals, Ramos, just 20 years old, held his nerve under pressure. Tied at 17-under with Reymon Jaraula heading into the 16th hole, he showed maturity beyond his years. He birdied the par-4 hole from six feet, while Jaraula faltered with a missed par putt from four feet, resulting in a crucial two-shot swing.

Ramos maintained control down the stretch, finishing with pars to secure his first Philippine Golf Tour victory by a two-stroke margin. He capped off a strong performance with a second consecutive six-under-par round, posting a total of 18-under 270 over 72 holes at the challenging Lakewood Golf and Country Club course.

“I can’t put into words how I feel right now,” said Ramos, elated after his breakthrough win in the circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. “This victory means so much to me after coming close several times before.”

Throughout the tournament, Ramos faced relentless pressure from more experienced competitors but stayed composed. His solid front nine, highlighted by three consecutive birdies from No. 3, countered his rivals' advances effectively.

Even as challenges mounted on the back nine, Ramos’s clutch birdie on the 16th proved decisive, paving the way for his victory and signaling his arrival as a rising star in Philippine golf.

“I handled the pressure well and enjoyed every moment of the competition," said Ramos, who also contended at Palos Verdes and at the Philippine Masters but struggled in the final day of both events. “I played strategically in the closing holes to secure the win without taking unnecessary risks.”

For his triumph, Ramos earned P450,000 in prize money and looks forward to carrying this momentum into upcoming events on the Asian Development Tour.

Jaraula, who birdied the 14th to tie, also finished with a 67 for 272 worth P295,000, while Lascuña carded a 69 for third at 273. He received P170,000.

Ozeki Kakeru shot a 68 for a 274 for fourth followed by Art Arbole