Pinoy golfer rallies to win Johor Open

Artemio Murakami

Filipino golfing star Artemio Murakami came from behind to snatch the Iskandar Johor Open in Malaysia.

Murakami, who was two shots off the lead going into the final round fired a bogey free three-under-par 68 at the Royal Johor Country Club.

He walked away with the top prize of US$47,550 (about P2.2 million) after a five-under-par 279 total. The success catapulted Murakami to 41st position on the Asian Tour's UBS Order of Merit with total earnings of US$63,530 this season.

Scotsman Simon Yates produced his strongest round of 67 and finished a stroke behind the champion alongside Filipino Tony Lascuna who enjoyed his best finish on the Asian Tour after a 70 in tied second place.

Chinese Taipei's Sung Mao-chang, who ended his run with a 69, was pleased with his tied fourth place finish together with India's Gaurav Ghei who shot a 72.

Murakami said he dedicated this win to Frankie Minoza who has helped me and inspired me to go on. I double bogeyed the final hole on Saturday and I told Frankie over the phone that this was not going to be my week.

"But last night when I called him in Japan, he said that there are 18 more holes to go and I should never give up. That was good advice as I did push hard today," said the champion, who birdied the second, fourth and eighth holes before steadily parring the remaining nine holes.

Murakami enjoyed a two-stroke cushion heading into the last two holes.

A birdie by Sung on the 17th hole closed the gap but Murakami sealed his win with a three foot par putt at the final 18th hole as Sung faltered with a bogey.

"I was thinking about Sung on the 18th hole but I kept my game and I'm really happy that I did it. My approach shots were great today and were very consistent which was the key to my success," said the winner.