Que, Pucay score best RP finish in World Cup

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Angelo Que and Mars Pucay recorded the Philippines best-ever finish of joint 10th in the World Cup at the Mission Hills Golf Club in Dongguan, China over the weekend, topped by a come from behind victory by Sweden.

Angelo Que and Mars Pucay, coming off a stirring seven-under 65 card in the last better-ball format Saturday, combined for a one-birdie, one-bogey output in the final round to duplicate their score in the second day for a four-day haul of 12-under 276.

The Filipino shotmakers, who started the round in joint ninth, tied France (71) and Chile (67) for 10th for the country’s best-ever finish in the annual event featuring the world’s top two-man teams.

The Philippines shared the 10th to 12th prizes worth $96,666 each or roughly P4.6 million. The RP duo finished ahead of Canada (73-277), Ireland (77-278), China (72-280) and last year’s champion Scotland (72-281).

Sweden saved its best for last and fired a nine-under 63 for a stirring 27-under 261, battling back from third place to post a three-shot victory over erstwhile frontrunner Spain, who settled for a 270 and a 264.

Australia limped home with a four-over 76 and wound up joint third with Japan, carding a 68, with 270.

Over in Kochi, Japan, Frankie Miñoza carded a second straight 75 for a 290 and a share of 39th place in the Casio World Open ruled by Kuomei Oda in wire-to-wire fashion yesterday. Oda matched par 72 for the second straight day and finished with a 277 for a three-shot victory over Kenichi Kuboya, who had 280 after a 71.

In China, Chihiro Ikeda sputtered with an 81 and dropped from first to fourth with a 230, three shots behind J. Ariya of Thailand, who took charge with a 227 after a 75 in the Aaron Baddeley International junior tournament at the Dragon Lake Golf Course in Guangzhou late Saturday. T. Suwanapura, also of Thailand, grabbed second place with a 228 after a 74.