STA. ROSA, Laguna — Arnold Villacencio, on the brink of exiting the tournament, credits his daughter Gretchen for reigniting his determination to continue fighting.
In a remarkable turnaround, the 55-year-old veteran outplayed Albin Engino, 4&3, to claim the ICTSI The Country Club Match Play Invitational title at the TCC course here on Friday.
In a final match few anticipated, Villacencio overcame exhaustion and intense competition to seize an unlikely victory. After a cautious front nine, he surged ahead, going 3-up at the 13th hole before sealing the win on the next.
The victory ended a decade-long title drought for Villacencio, who could hardly believe the achievement.
“I still can’t believe that I won. But I’m proud of myself — I’m the oldest here, yet I managed to beat the younger players. Of course, it’s all thanks to the Lord,” Villacencio said.
The weather added drama to Villacencio’s journey. While the final round was played in cooler conditions, the first three days were marked by scorching heat that almost forced him to withdraw from Thursday’s semifinal match against Hyun Ho Rho.
Despite trailing by three holes midway through that match, Villacencio mounted a gritty comeback, eventually securing a 2-up victory, with his daughter’s unwavering belief fueling his resolve.
“I’m also grateful to my daughter. In the semifinals, I wanted to give up because I was so exhausted, but she told me, ‘Keep fighting, finish the match,’” Villacencio said.
Engino, for his part, had pulled off an upset in the semifinals, edging out the more favored Jay Bayron, 1-up.
With momentum seemingly on his side and conventional wisdom favoring him in the final, Engino appeared poised for a breakthrough.
However, Villacencio’s unexpected run proved that in golf’s unpredictable match-play format, no lead or advantage is ever safe.
“He (Engino) missed a lot of putting pars, so I went 3-up right away on the front nine,” Villacencio said.
When asked about the difference in his game compared to 2014 at Summit Point, Villacencio reflected on his growth and resilience.
The win, worth P280,000, capped a remarkable season-ending championship sponsored by ICTSI and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc., reaffirming Villacencio’s place among the sport’s most resilient competitors.
Engino took home P200,000, while Bayron outlasted Rho, 3&1, for third place honors and a P150,000 prize. Rho, in turn, earned P120,000 for finishing fourth.
Villacencio’s victory also capped the PGT’s most unpredictable season, with different winners emerging across all 10 stroke-play legs, showcasing the depth of competition.
Adding to the season’s surprises, an unexpected champion rose to claim victory in the match-play finale, making this year one of the tour’s most exciting and dynamic chapters, marked by dramatic shifts in momentum and unexpected outcomes.