Angelo Que ended an excruciating five-year wait for a championship by securing the ICTSI Villamor Philippine Masters title in a stunning display of late-round brilliance, defeating Hyun Ho Rho by four strokes with a closing 67 at the Villamor Golf Club in Pasay City on Saturday.
Que clinched the championship in style. Starting the final round one stroke behind, he quickly overtook Rho with a pitch-in eagle from 50 yards on the par-4 opening hole. The lead changed hands multiple times in a show of shotmaking that left the rest of the field fighting for a distant third place.
Que’s resilience was evident as he regained the lead after slipping off it at the turn. Three birdies in a four-hole stretch from No. 12 against Rho’s run of pars propelled the seasoned campaigner to a two-stroke lead, ultimately sealing his triumph with a critical birdie on the 16th, a shot Rho failed to match.
What was anticipated to be a thrilling conclusion to the P2 million championship sponsored by ICTSI turned into an anti-climactic ending as Que cruised to a commanding victory. He finished with routine pars on the last two holes for a 34-33 and a 72-hole total of 10-under 278, earning P345,000.
“It feels great to win after five years. I’ve been struggling with my game over the past three to four years, so to win again, especially with so many young competitors around, feels really good at this age. At least, it shows that all my hard work has paid off,” said Que, 45, who last won in the Philippine Golf Tour Asia at Manila Southwoods in 2019.
Despite several impressive finishes both domestically and internationally, a championship victory had eluded him until now.
Rho falters under pressure
After a strong frontside 34, Rho faltered under pressure, dropping a stroke on No. 10 and compounding his troubles with a three-putt bogey on the 18th. He finished with a 72, placing second with a 282 total worth P224,000.
“The whole day, Rho was holing more putts than me despite me hitting it closer than him,” Que noted. “But that didn’t matter. What mattered was my birdie putt on No. 12. That was the turning point. I sort of gained momentum and I didn’t stop from there.”
The crucial birdie putt marked a significant shift, steering Que forward with renewed confidence and determination, leading to his triumph.
Boost of confidence for Que
“This win is good for me. Only a few players have won the Philippine Open and the Philippine Masters, so at least, I’m part of history again,” he said.
“This victory will also give me some confidence for the coming months. Hopefully, I can replicate this abroad,” said Que.
Grateful for the unwavering support from his loved ones, he extended his heartfelt thanks to his family, including his wife Tracy and their children Chandra and Camillo, as well as his swing coach Bong Lopez, for standing by him through thick and thin.
Amateur Jeffren Lumbo, playing two flights ahead, made a valiant attempt to disrupt the Que-Rho showdown with his brilliant play. However, despite his intimate knowledge of the tight, tricky layout, Lumbo succumbed to the pressure, faltering with a bogey on No. 12 and falling out of contention.
His streak of six pars to cap off his round of 68 netted the club bet an impressive joint third-place finish in his first major tournament, where he also emerged as the low amateur. He tied with Tony Lascuña and Lloyd Go, who carded 67 and 71, respectively, at 283.
Aidric Chan shot a 71 for solo sixth at 285 while Ryan Monsalve slipped with a second straight 73 for seventh at 286. Daiya Suzuki fumbled with a 75 to tumble to eighth at 287, followed by Guido van der Valk and Sean Ramos with 288 and 289 after 71 and 75, respectively.
