PAIR PULLS OFF GOLF THREE-PEAT

By Patrick Lujan

Not surprisingly, Ivan Sablan and Tyanna Jacot put a stamp on Guam golf history books by cruising to their third straight Guam Amateur Golf Championship title, capping off the 2025 edition Sunday afternoon at the Country of the Pacific golf course.

The college star (Sablan) and still high school standout (Jacot) led from start to finish in the three round championships. (2023 and 2024)

Sablan, however, barely pulled it off as he struggled to a final round of 80 to win by one stroke over veteran Louis Sunga. Sunga shot a final round 74 to put the heat on Sablan in the final grouping.

With a comfortable seven-stroke lead heading into Sunday, Sablan couldn’t find his groove with five bogeys in the front nine. He went on to bogey three more holes on the back side.

“I struggled a good bit with every part of my game today. I just did my best to stay in the present and emotionally disconnect myself from my game,” Sablan explained.

Meanwhile, the steady Sunga had a plus-2 on the front side and – despite the rain falling – an even round on the back to add intrigue to the finish. Sablan bogeyed the final hole to save the championship with a two-stroke advantage heading into the final hole.

“I made a big putt on 17 to keep a two stroke lead. I just did my best to stay in my routine and keep everything consistent on 18,” Sablan added (72-74-80=226).

Even though Sablan managed to hold on to the win, the struggle to stay on top was a battle in itself that he walked away with the lesson learned.

“I took a lot away from this round. I think the most important thing was learning how my body wants to move under pressure and how to not get ahead of myself mentally.”

Sunga settled for second place (76-77-74=227), proving to the youngsters that he still belongs atop Guam’s golf mountain. Recent high school graduate Stussy Shiroma came around with an impressive third place (77-77-78=232), including four birdies in his second round.

WOMEN’S FLIGHT

Jacot matched her third round 78 in the final round to win by 11 strokes over Rose Tarpley. The cool and calm 17-year-old was never really threatened as she steadied the 3-round tourney with a 79-78-78=235.

“I’m truly grateful and blessed for the opportunity to return and compete to my home country,” said Jacot, who moved to the states last year to pursue her golfing career. “Adjusting to the course presented its challenges, but I’m very pleased with the outcome. I enjoyed the tournament and am incredibly proud to have successfully defended my title.”

Tarpley finished in second place (85-77-84=246) with the ageless Tessie Blair wrapping up the top three (86-79-86=251).

SENIOR FLIGHT

David Blas also led from start to finish, but not without a fight from Walt Lundin. Blas had a huge seven-stroke lead going into the turn, only to drop six strokes by the 14th. Lundin would birdie the par-3 17th to tie for the lead heading into the final hole. With the championship on the line, Blas managed to par the 18th, while Lundin bogeyed to give the title to Blas.

Blas (88-81-85=254) got the W over Lundin (91-84-80=255).