Austria, Gaerlan and Jung carve out lopsided wins

Champions all (from left): Jonar Austria, Jules Gaerlan and KY Jung —INQUIRER GOLF PHOTO

A trio of determined aces bucked slow starts before scooting away from their respective foes to become first time winners in the National Tournament of Club Champions presented by Lexus at the Faldo layout of the vast Eagle Ridge complex in General Trias in Cavite.

Jonar Austria of Lakewood wrested the lead for the first time after the sixth hole and never looked back, with a three-hole string of wins from 10th spelling a 3&2 win over Apo Golf’s Chris Tan for the centerpiece men’s title, even as young Jules Gaerlan ended another formidable reign in Matet Salivio’s in the women’s side.

A former winner of the national stroke play title at Riviera last year, Austria lived up to his lofty billing as the player to beat despite qualifying as the second seed, as his dispatching of Tan showed his readiness for the next level.

“I got a little bit lucky with my putting today and Chris did not,” the licensed pilot who saw action in the last Philippine Open at Manila Southwoods, told Inquirer Golf. He now has everyone waiting for what he decides to do next, as it is clear that he has the skills to compete at the pro level.

“The battle was won on the greens today,” added Austria.

Representing Camp Aguinaldo, the 24-year-old Gaerlan, meanwhile, won four straight holes from No. 4 to break away and be the new queen of the trailblazing tournament after completing a 5&4 win over Salivio, the seasoned three-time champion playing out of well-manicured Summit Point.

Gaerlan, a daughter of retired Armed Forces of the Philippines Deputy Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Charlton Sean Gaerlan, will be flying to Thailand on Monday to compete in the Thailand Ladies Open this week. The win definitely boosts her confidence.

“This is big, because this (win) puts me in the right frame of mind,” said Gaerlan, who drew praise from Salivio, who vowed to come back harder next year.

KY Jung of Sherwood Hills erased a 1-down deficit to Jun Arceo of Orchard after three holes and also had a three-hole win streak from the 10th to post a 6&4 win for the Seniors’ throne, which was vacated by Abe Rosal even before the tournament started because of a previous commitment.

Gary Sales, who stepped off his throne after losing in the quarterfinals to another ex-pro in Chucho Martinez, had said after classification that Austria was the player to beat in his division. INQ