Taruc, Garingalao dominate in Pampanga

MEXICO, Pampanga—Jakob Taruc and Kendra Garingalao completed dominant victories on Wednesday, overcoming rain delays and shifting conditions to capture the premier division titles at the ICTSI Beverly Place Junior PGT Championship.

Taruc capped a wire-to-wire performance with a closing 75 for a 54-hole total of 224, winning by 18 strokes over Nathan Belandres at Beverly Place Golf Club.

Garingalao, meanwhile, stretched a three-shot overnight lead into an eight-shot victory despite a birdie-less 77. The 15-year-old finished with a 235 aggregate, comfortably ahead of Rafa Anciano and Levonne Talion, who tied for second at 243.

Play was delayed for an hour by heavy rain before competitors resumed under a lift, clean and place rule. Conditions improved later in the day, although another interruption due to lightning threats halted play for nearly two hours.

Taruc, who began the final round with an 11-shot cushion, opened with a birdie but mixed in three bogeys over the next four holes and a double-bogey on the par-3 15th. The setbacks proved inconsequential as he cruised to his first Junior Philippine Golf Tour victory.

Belandres shot a 76 to secure runner-up honors at 242.