BOBE Salahog displayed composure far beyond his 20 years, surviving a nerve-wracking, wind-lashed finish to snatch low medal honors in the Philippine Golf Tour Qualifying School at Splendido Taal Golf Club in Laurel, Batangas.
In a gripping duel in the last three holes, Salahog held firm with clutch pars as the wind howled across the course, then watched rival Lee Song unravel under pressure. Song, tied late and still in contention, faltered with a costly bogey on the 16th and a double bogey on the last – a dramatic swing that handed the title to the Bacolod-born standout.
“Pinaka-exciting ‘yung last three holes. Pero nag bogey at na-double si Lee,” said Salahog.
He fired a second straight 70 and finished at three-under 285 – a remarkable feat on one of the country’s toughest courses and in punishing conditions that tested even the most seasoned campaigners.
Despite bogeys on Nos. 12 and 14, Salahog dug deep when it mattered most, stringing together four gutsy pars to close out his round. His steady hand in the face of swirling winds and mounting pressure ultimately proved decisive.
Song fought back hard, matching Salahog shot for shot through much of the round. But a bogey on No. 16 opened the door, and the Korean’s collapse on the 18th – marred by a mishit off the tee and a missed short putt – sealed his fate as he slipped to a 74 for fourth at 287.
Ryoto Furuya mounted a late charge with back-to-back birdies from No. 15 to force a three-way tie at one point, but a closing bogey left him tied for second with Charles Lee at 286 after identical 70s.