Shinichi Suzuki closes with a 72.–CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

LAUREL, Batangas – Shinichi Suzuki returned to the ICTSI Junior PGT Championship with aplomb, posting a three-shot win over Zachary Villaroman after closing out with a level-par 72 for the centerpiece boys’ 15-18 Splendido Taal leg crown on Wednesday.

Suzuki tallied a 54-hole 219 over the windswept layout as Villaroman faltered in the back nine to fire a 76 as the tall Filipino-Japanese shared winning honors with girls’ champ Rafa Anciano.

Anciano clinched her second straight win in dominant fashion, crushing Angelica Bañez by 36 strokes despite a closing 96 for a 260 total.

READ: Espedido completes hat trick after convincing triumph at Splendido

“The key was staying patient because this course is pretty difficult – especially the greens,” said Suzuki, who credited his recent stint in Japan for helping him adapt to challenging conditions.

“It was much windier (in Japan),” he said. “That helped me refine my club selection and learn to play with the wind instead of fighting it. I was able to hit a lot of greens and stay consistent.”

Some of the highlights of Suzuki’s day were wedge shots on the second and 14th holes that left him close putts for birdies.

Suzuki capped off his brilliant shotmaking on no. 16 with a 50-degree wedge from 143 yards that set up another tap-in birdie.

READ: Interesting matchups as Splendido leg unfurls

“It was fun, but I put a lot of pressure on myself to score well because I really wanted to. Unfortunately, I didn’t quite meet my goal, so it was a little disappointing not to end on a high note,” said Anciano.

“But a win is still a win. I played well over the first two days, even on such a tough course, and I’m happy with that,” added the 16-year-old, who considers Forest Hills and Aguinaldo her home courses.

Suzuki and Anciano thus joined other category winners – Zach Guico and Mavis Espedido (7-10) and Ryuji Suzuki and Mona Sarines (11-14) in this third of the seven-leg Luzon series organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

Espedido, meanwhile, stood out as the only player to sweep all three tournaments, strengthening her bid for a coveted spot in the season-ending North vs. South Elite Junior Finals set for Sept. 30 to Oct. 2 at The Country Club.