Lee ends title drought
‘It was a roller-coaster. There were a lot of downs and there were a lot of downs. I think it was a combination of smart choices and confidence, which is very hard to have under pressure. But I tried my best.’
TIFFANY Lee gets doused with water in celebration after winning the ICTSI Pueblo de Oro Championship in Cagayan de Oro City.
Photograph courtesy of pgt
CAGAYAN DE ORO — Tiffany Lee ended a two-year title drought the hard way, rallying from a shaky front nine to beat Yvon Bisera by two strokes and capture the ICTSI Pueblo de Oro Championship on Wednesday.
The Manila-based Korean squandered a four-shot overnight lead and found herself trailing in a tense duel at Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country Club. But the 18-year-old regained her composure when it mattered most, stringing together crucial birdies to secure her second professional victory with an even-par 72 and a three-round total of four-under 212.
The victory earned Lee the ₱162,500 top prize, rewarding her persistence after a frustrating 2025 season in which she struggled to contend.
“It was a roller-coaster. There were a lot of downs and there were a lot of downs,” Lee said. “I think it was a combination of smart choices and confidence, which is very hard to have under pressure. But I tried my best.”
Back-to-back birdies from No. 14 pulled Lee level with Bisera at two-under overall, erasing the damage from her difficult opening stretch. She then birdied the par-5 17th to reclaim the outright lead before closing with a steady par.
Bisera, who signed for a 70 and a 214 total, had one last chance to force a playoff but faltered on the 18th. Her drive strayed left, and she missed the green with her approach. After chipping onto the putting surface, she needed two putts to finish with a bogey, sealing Lee’s hard-earned triumph.
“I was already one down at that point, so I really needed to make a birdie and create a chance,” Lee said of her pivotal birdie on No. 14.
The victory ended a long wait for Lee, who broke through in her professional debut at Splendido Taal in 2024 with a one-shot win over Mikha Fortuna.
She admitted that her struggles the following year had fueled doubts about her game.
“It means a lot. It’s been hard not to win for a long time, and I wasn’t even getting close in 2025, which made me start doubting myself,” she said.
Her renewed approach was to focus on what she could control.
“I just let go of the things I cannot control and focused on myself,” Lee said. “This win is a great reward for all the days I have silently and continuously fought for. So yeah, I’m really happy with this win.”
Lee also credited her father, Youngin, who supports, coaches and caddies for her. He missed the final two rounds because of a back injury.
“Most of the credit goes to my dad, my family, and to ICTSI for providing this circuit,” she said.
Martina Miñoza finished third at 220 after a 71, followed by Sarah Ababa at 222 and Harmie Constantino at 223.
Apple Fudolin and Velinda Castil tied for sixth at 225, while Angela Mangana placed eighth at 226. Princess Superal and Gretchen Villacencio shared ninth at 227.
Ace Superal carded a 76 to tie for 14th at 234 and claim low amateur honors.
For Lee, the comeback was more than a second title. It was proof that after two years of frustration, she could still fight her way back to the top.