Avaricio digs deep, edges Lee by 1 at South Pacific

DAVAO CITY – Chanelle Avaricio silenced a crowded title chase with an early eagle, then leaned on her precision, patience and steely resolve to thwart Tiffany Lee’s blistering backside charge and capture the ICTSI South Pacific Classic by one here on Thursday. In sweltering conditions at the South Pacific Golf Club, Avaricio delivered a closing three-under 69 for an eight-under 209 total, capping a gutsy performance in a fiercely contested 54-hole championship that demanded as much mental toughness as shot-making brilliance. What appeared headed for a runaway victory quickly turned into a nerve-wracking battle down the stretch, as Avaricio’s early four-shot cushion evaporated under the combined weight of a costly miscue and Lee’s relentless charge. The two traded blows in a gripping finish that once again underscored the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour’s penchant for last-hole drama. Both appeared to wilt under the mounting pressure. They each missed the green on the closing par-5 18th and settled for bogeys, allowing Avaricio to clinch a one-stroke victory worth P142,250. Lee misjudged her pitch, sending the ball past the cup, then failed to get up and down from 12 feet. That effectively eased the pressure on Avaricio, who also missed her par putt from 8 feet. After winning...