Granada lifts Benilde to IIT Splendido sweep

LAUREL, Batangas — College of Saint Benilde’s Sean Granada rose to the occasion on a rain-soaked Sunday, showcasing nerves of steel and sharp course management to clinch individual honors in Round 2 of the ICTSI Intercollegiate Tour at the wind-raked Splendido Taal Golf Club.

Confronted with relentless rain and a course reshaped by recent weather, Granada displayed remarkable patience and mental toughness. Despite a grinding four-bogey stretch over the first 15 holes, the Saint Benilde standout held his composure and surged late, draining a clutch 30-foot birdie on the par-4 16th to highlight a gutsy round of 75 (38-37).

His effort earned him a three-stroke victory over University of the Philippines’ Miggy Roque and Ateneo-1’s Schmuel Tan, who both carded 78s.

“I drove pretty well on the 16th, leaving me just about 90 yards to the pin,” said the 20-year-old Granada.

“But I hit it short — about 30 feet — but since it was an uphill lie, I charged it and ended up sinking the putt.”

Coming off a joint fourth-place finish in Round 1 at Royal Northwoods, Granada credited his long game for pulling him through.

“My driving definitely saved me, especially in that kind of weather,” he said.

“I enjoyed it, but the conditions were really tough — 25kph winds and a lot of rain. It was fun, but also frustrating.”

Granada’s ability to stay composed amid the adverse conditions proved crucial. Navigating soggy fairways and unpredictable greens, he leaned on his driving and short game — especially his timely birdie — that ultimately sealed the win worth 15 ranking points.

Roque, who tied for eighth in Round 1, showed flashes of brilliance with two birdies but stumbled with six bogeys and a double bogey for a 40-38 finish, while Tan, making his Tour debut, posted one birdie against seven bogeys for the same score.