DAVAO – Jhonnel Ababa surged to the top with a two-under 70 during another demanding day at the Apo course on Wednesday, securing a one-stroke lead over Korean Gwon Minwook at the halfway point of the 2024 ICTSI Apo Golf Classic.
Despite facing challenges at the backnine, Ababa rebounded with five birdies, concluding with a 20-foot putt on No. 18. He maintained his momentum at the front, birdying Nos. 1 and 8 to stay in control. However, a falter on the ninth resulted in a pair of 35s.
While content with his lead at 143, Ababa acknowledged the significance of the third round in maintaining his position, emphasizing the need for improvement in his driving and iron play.
“Masama ang palo sa umpisa, pero naka-recover naman agad,” said Ababa, who bogeyed 10 and 12 but rebounded with three birdies in the next six holes, capped by a long putt on the par-5 18th.
Ababa wary of competition
He remained cautious of the strong competition with Minwook and several others staying within striking distance.
“Importante bukas (Thursday), kailangan maka-pondo ka na para sa last day di ka maiwan,” said the two-leg winner of last year’s edition of the annual circuit sponsored by ICTSI and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.
Minwook, who tied for fifth in last week’s PGT Q-School at South Pacific, struck back from a double bogey on No. 12 with an eagle on the next and a birdie on No. 18 to fire a 71, moving to solo second at 144.
Local talents Tony Lascuña and Jay Bayron also positioned themselves as contenders, along with 10 others, including fellow Davaoeños Zanieboy Gialon and Edmar Salvador, Jr.
Lascuña, the Tour’s only four-time OOM winner who ruled this event in 2019, carded a 70, propelling him to third at 145, while Bayron, out to snap a long title spell, likewise remained in the hunt with a 72 for a 146, catching Gialon and first-round joint leader Ozeki Kakeru from Japan.
Gialon, who last won at Caliraya Springs in 2022, blew a one-under card with bogeys in the last two holes at the front for a 73, while Kakeru also reeled back in a frontside finish, dropping strokes on Nos. 6 and 8 for a 74.
Arevalo fires tournament-best 68
Notably, Kristoffer Arevalo shot the tournament-best four-under 68, highlighted by three birdies in the last six holes as he fought back from a 77 to join Salvador and Dutchman Guido van der Valk at seventh with 147s.
Salvador, who matched Kakeru’s opening 72 Tuesday, struggled with a 75 while van der Valk squandered a solid backside 33 with bogeys on Nos. 2, 4 and 6 to settle for a 72.
But the title race remains tight with several players grouped closely, promising an exciting third round in the P2.5 million championship supported by PGTI official apparel Kampfortis Golf.
They include Ira Alido, Russell Bautista, Japanese Kei Matsuoka, Korean Hyun Ho Rho, and Rupert Zaragosa, who all assembled 148s. Alido, Matsuoka, and Rho shot 73s, Bautista carded a 74, while Zaragosa fumbled with a 73.
Zaragosa, in pursuit of a second win after dominating the Iloilo leg last year, threatened to within a stroke of Ababa with a three-under card with three holes left at the front. But he lost his momentum and putting touch, closing out with a bogey-double-bogey skid to drop to joint 10th.
Forty-one players advanced to the last 36 holes with last week’s Q-School topnotcher Aidric Chan and two-time elims winner Toru Nakajima from Japan barely making it through with 154s after 75 and 77, respectively.
Among those who fell by the wayside were last year’s Valley leg runaway winner Reymon Jaraula (76-156), last week’s Q-School No. 2 Kuresh Samanodi (73-157), former leg winner Arnold Villacencio (76-160), last week’s joint fifth-placer Drew Proctor of the US (79-160), consistent Top 10 finisher Dino Villanueva (80-161), and former OOM winner Jobim Carlos (82-166).
The leading scorers after the second round:
143 – Jhonnel Ababa 73-70
144 – Minwook Gwon 73-71
145 – Tony Lascuna 75-70
146 – Jay Bayron 74-72, Zanieboy Gialon 73-73, Ozeki Kakeru 72-74
147 – Kristoffer Arevalo 79-68, Edmar Salvador Jr. 72-75, Guido van der Valk 75-72
148 – Ira Alido 75-73, Russell Bautista 74-74, Kei Matsuoka 75-73, Rho Hyun Ho 75-73, Rupert Zaragosa 75-73
149 – Luis Bagtas 77-72, Elee Bisera 77-72, Keanu Jahns 75-74
150 – Clyde Mondilla 77-73, Collin Wheeler 77-73
151 – Mars Pucay 75-76, Nilo Salahog 74-77, Elmer Salvador 74-77, Daiya Suzuki 77-74
152 – Art Arbole 77-75, Ferdie Aunzo 80-72, Michael Bibat 76-76, Joseph Labajo 79-73, Francis Morilla 76-76, Yu Min Hyeok 75-77
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