A shocking 11 on the par-4 17th in the second round cost Judson Eustaquio a chance to finish strongly in the Asian Amateur Championship which finished Sunday at the Mission Hills golf club in China.

Juvic Pagunsan also saw his challenge stall when he shot a double bogey 7 on the fourth hole during the final round of the Barclays Singapore Open also last Sunday as the Filipino golfers’ campaign on two Asian fronts fizzled.

Pagunsan tied for 14th after his three-under 68 effort on the final round which could have been better if not for a double bogey and a bogey.

But it was still a richly rewarding finish for Pagunsan who had illustrious company. Tied with him at 280, 4 under par, were Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els, Thongchai Jaidee and Justin Rose.

Pagunsan was the only one among six Filipinos to qualify for the weekend in Singapore and it netted him 45,000 euros (about P3 million), pushing his season earnings to $173,000 (about P8 million) and putting him in 17th place in the Asian Tour Order of Merit.

On the other hand, Eustaquio’s 17th hole miscue ravaged what could have been a scintillating round for the US-based former Philippine jungolf star who finished in 10th place during the tournament where a spot at next year’s Masters was at stake plus a final qualifying spot in the British Open.

Eustaquio, who shone as a college star in Florida, had shot a 68 in the first round at the World Cup course, a par 72 layout, and was cruising at three-under par for the day with two holes left when disaster struck.

He finished with a 76 and began the third round nine strokes behind the leader and eventual winner Han Chang-won of South Korea who had a tournament best 276, 12 under.

Eustaquio roared back with a two-under-par 70 on the third day but settled for even-par 72 on the final day to finish solo 10th, 10 strokes behind Han, with his 286 total.

It was the best Filipino performance in the tournament which featured Asia-Pacific’s best amateurs, all hoping to land a spot in next year’s first major at Augusta.

Jhonnel Ababa tied for 11th 287 (73-70-73-71) and Mhark Fernando, who was in fifth spot after three rounds, fell into a tie for 22nd place when he shot a 78 in the final round for 289.

Dante Beciera (73-74-78-75) tied for 50th while Peter Villaber, the other Filipino entry, missed the cut after rounds of 73-82.