Artemio Murakami follows through on his approach shot to hole No. 6 in Saturday’s final round of the Mercedes-Benz Masters Philippines. Murakami carded a five-under-par 67 for a 275 total to win the title by one shot. (Photo by ALBERT GARCIA)

CARMONA, Cavite – Artemio Murakami closed out with a five-under-par 67 Saturday to capture the Mercedes-Benz Masters Philippines at the Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club here.

The 26-year-old Murakami finished with a 13-under 275 total, one stroke behind Jay Bayron, leader of the first three rounds, Angelo Que and Guido Van der Valk of the Netherlands.

“I was on attack mode the whole game,” said Murakami, who had earlier rounds of 73, 71 and 64.

The win was also Murakami’s second crown this year after topping the Asian Tour School Qualifying Final Stage in Thailand last January. He also pocketed $9,750 cash purse in the $60,000 tournament.

Murakami, five shots behind Bayron going to the final round, started with a bogey on No. 2 but kept his composure and shot six birdies, including the final two holes.

In contrast, Bayron struggled and limped home with a 73 after stumbling at the back nine. He shot birdies on Nos. 2 and 6, but bogeyed the 15th and three-putted the par-3 16th hole for a double bogey.

“Ganyan talaga ang golf. Hindi mo alam kung kailan ka madidisgrasya,” said Bayron.

Que fired a 69 with five birdies against two bogeys, while Van der Valk, runner-up in last year’s Philippine Open, also made the same output.

Mars Pucay finished with a 72 for a 277 total, while Malaysian Nicholas Fung and Juvic Pagunsan, who carded 70 and 72, respectively, settled for a 279 aggregate.

Rey Pagunsan had a 69 for a 280 total, while Thais Namchock Tantipokakul (71) and Wisut Artjanawat (73), 2009 Philippine Open champion Elmer Salvador (72) and Singaporean Quincy Quek (72) finished with similar 281.

Miguel Tabuena, a member of the Canlubang/ICTSI Program under Tommy Manotoc, carded five birdies against a lone birdie for a 68 – his best output in the four-day tournament – to become the best amateur finisher with a 285 total.

The scores:
275 - A. Murakami 73-71-64-67
276 - J. Bayron 65-68-70-73, G. Van der Valk (NED) 68-68-71-69, A. Que 71-68-68-69
277 - M. Pucay 67-68-70-72
279 - N. Fung (MAS) 67-70-72-70, J. Pagunsan 68-66-73-72
280 - R. Pagunsan 67-70-74-69
281 - N. Tantipokakul (THA) 70-70-70-71, E. Salvador 72-68-69-72, Q. Quek (SIN) 69-72-68-72, W. Artjanawat (THA) 70-70-68-73
282 - M. Dumandan 70-69-74-69, T. Khrongpha (THA) 71-73-68-70, G. Bondoc 70-72-69-71, R. Bisera 68-72-69-73, F. Casas 74-68-67-73
284 - F. Aunzo 75-69-73-67, A. Lascuna 71-73-69-71, R. Abaring 71-72-68-73
285 - W. Sae-ung (THA) 69-77-68-71, P. Swangarunporn (THA) 70-68-76-71, N. Vichitryuthasastr (THA)74-72-65-74, M. Tabuena (Am) 73-73-71-68, R. Garalde 78-68-71-68
286 - V. Chomchalam (THA) 68-71-71-76
287 - M. Fernando (Am) 71-72-72-72
288 - C. Panpumpo (THA) 72-72-72-72, M. Bibat 71-74-71-72, D. Zarate 70-71-69-78
289 - P. Junhasavasdikul (THA) 73-68-75-73, B. Chaisri 73-68-73-75, R. Bernis 68-75-75-71
290 - M. Yee (Am) 72-69-76-73, P. Petchkasem (THA) 73-71-73-73
291 - J. Opaco 71-75-73-72
292 - G. Rosales 73-71-72-76, S.Khaoprathum (THA) 74-69-74-75, P. Pathlum (THA) 70-74-73-75, A. Fernando 71-69-77-75, J. Ababa (Am) 72-74-73-73
293 - A. Asistio II 76-69-70-78, A. Fernando 72-74-72-75, C. Chitratanatham (THA) 72-72-75-74, R. Jamnong (THA) 72-73-75-73
294 - A. Tangkamolprasert (THA) 70-74-73-77, E. Quiachon 69-74-74-77, R. Bayron 71-73-74-76, J. Delariarte 73-73-74-74
296 - C. Delos Santos 71-73-76-76
297 - R. Pactolerin 70-73-79-75, P. Minoza 73-72-77-75
298 - A. Papitak (THA) 72-70-75-81, R. Hie (INA) 74-72-71-81
300 - Z. Gialon (Am) 77-69-75-79, J. Pepito 71-74-77-78
302 - S. Liew (MAS) 73-73-74-82
303 - J. Chantharothai (THA) 75-71-80-77
304 - O. Dungca 75-70-78-81