Daniella Uy clinched a thrilling two-stroke victory over Chanelle Avaricio in a dramatic final round at the ICTSI Bacolod Golf Challenge, showcasing nerves of steel and remarkable resilience with a gutsy 68 on Thursday.
In a gripping showdown, Uy nearly let her two-stroke lead slip away with a costly double bogey on the par-4 15th hole. However, she quickly regained her composure, sinking a crucial birdie on the next hole to reclaim the lead. Uy then maintained her advantage with steady pars over the final two holes, finishing with an impressive total of eight-under 202 and securing the top prize of P117,000.
Avaricio, who needed a birdie on the last hole to force a playoff, faltered with a three-putt miscue for bogey, carding a 70 to finish two shots behind at 204, earning P82,000.
“It was a roller-coaster round,” Uy said, reflecting on her performance. “I bogeyed the first hole but bounced back with birdies. I also had several missed birdie chances, but I stayed focused.”
Despite the pressure, Uy found motivation in the excitement of the tight competition. “There was pressure, but it felt more like excitement since it was such a close match. It gave me the confidence to aim for the pin and sink those birdies.”
This victory marked Uy’s fifth career title, following her breakthrough win in 2021 and a trio of victories last year. She matched Avaricio’s three-leg win in 2022 before both embarked on their international campaigns.
Princess Superal surged back with a solid 67 to claim third place at 208, earning P65,000. Velinda Castil and Jiwon Lee tied for fourth at 213, with Castil shooting a 72 and Lee struggling with a 74 in the penultimate leg of the 10-stage Ladies Philippine Golf Tour, presented by Negros Electric and Power Corp.
Sarah Ababa, fresh off her win in Iloilo, stayed within striking distance despite a shaky front nine. However, a triple bogey on the par-3 10th hole derailed her campaign, and she finished tied for sixth at 214 alongside Chihiro Ikeda and Florence Bisera, who shot 70 and 73, respectively.
BGCC Finance Manager Cara Golez made waves by claiming low amateur honors with a score of 229 after a 77, finishing 19th overall.
The head-to-head duel between Uy and Avaricio captivated the tournament, producing one of the most intense finishes ever seen on the Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.-organized tour. Both players displayed exceptional shot-making and mental toughness, trading blows from tee to green, with each swing intensifying the pressure in their grueling battle for supremacy.
The decisive moment came on the 16th hole, where Uy sank a crucial birdie putt to regain the lead after her earlier misstep on the 15th. Avaricio was unable to respond, and despite her best efforts, her bogey on the final hole sealed Uy’s triumph.
“This win means a lot to me. It will definitely boost my confidence as I head back to the Taiwan tour,” Uy said, whose eagle-spiked second-round 65 had tied her with Avaricio, who fired a tournament-best, bogey-free 63 to set up their thrilling final-round showdown.
Uy’s calm under pressure on the 16th hole proved to be the turning point, allowing her to seize control and claim her latest victory, reaffirming her status as one of the LPGT’s premier talents.
