BACOLOD City – Rupert Zaragosa was hailed as winner of the ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic as torrential rains brought by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine forced the cancellation of the third and final round on Friday morning.
The relentless downpour turned the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club here 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 Wednesday.
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.
“I’m super happy with the outcome, despite the shortened tournament,” said Zaragosa. “It would’ve been nice to finish the full 72 holes, but considering how unplayable the course became, I understand the decision.”
Zaragosa’s winnings of P450,000 capped off his 2024 PGT season, while Lascuña and Jaraula, tied for second place at 140, each received P232,500.
On Thursday afternoon, Harmie Constantino rallied from three strokes down to defeat Sarah Ababa by one shot and claim the ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic women’s crown.
This victory not only snapped Constantino’s long skid, which began in June after a dominant run in the first four legs of the 2024 Ladies Philippine Golf Tour, but it also reasserted her standing as the country’s premier golfer.
“Honestly, it felt like luck. It didn’t feel like the victory was mine the entire day. I even had a shaky start,” said Constantino, referring to her three-putt on No. 7 after the resumption of play in the rain-suspended second round.
Constantino assembled a 142 total, which earned her P117,000, edging Ababa (75) by one stroke. Florence Bisera shot a 73 to finish third at 145. Ababa and Bisera took home P82,000 and P65,000, respectively.
Despite trailing by three strokes with six holes to play, Constantino birdied the par-5 14th to force a three-way tie with Ababa and Bisera at five-over overall, setting up a potential playoff finish.
“I played well despite the conditions, it was tough to maintain momentum,” said Constantino. “I still have a lot to work on before the Match Play. My swing and irons need more attention.”/PN
