LIPA CITY, Batangas – Angelo Que was tested from the opening stretch, pressured by a blistering early charge from Aidric Chan and a spirited mid-round assault from Justin Quiban. But through it all, the veteran campaigner never blinked.
At 47, with two decades of professional golf behind him and a career forged through countless battles here and abroad, Que once again showed that experience, composure and sheer resolve can still trump youth and momentum.
Patience key for Que
Relying on precise ball-striking and crisp iron play, Que stayed patient in mild conditions at the Summit Point Golf and Country Club, closing out with a 70 to win the ICTSI Summit Point Championship by two shots over Chan on Friday.
A final-round two-under card left him four strokes short of a four-day streak of 66s, but it was more than enough to secure the championship. Finishing at 20-under 268, the reigning Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit champion claimed his 21st career title along with the ₱440,000 top prize.
“There was really no pressure today. It was nice playing with Adric and Justin because we’ve known each other for a long time, so it felt just like a practice round. We were talking the whole round and weren't really trying to compete – we were actually just pushing each other,” said the three-time Asian Tour winner and owner of one title on the Japan Golf Tour.
The two-stroke winning margin hardly reflected how effectively Que kept the threats at bay, as he never allowed Chan to come within three strokes until No. 17. Four up with two holes to play, Que gave back two shots on the par-3 penultimate hole.
The late stumble from the bunker and missed putts added a touch of drama to what had otherwise been a victory lap, but they barely unsettled the veteran shotmaker’s resolve or poise. Que calmly matched Chan’s par on the par-4 18th to secure the win.
“I was trying to make two more birdies so that I could shoot another 66, but unfortunately, I missed it on the wrong side on the 17th,” he recalled.
Chan closed with a 66 to finish runner-up at 270, while Quiban missed a chance to force a tie for second after bogeys on Nos. 16 and 17. He settled for third at 272 after a 69.
Keanu Jahns shot a 68 to tie Reymon Jaraula, who carded a 70, for fourth at 278.
Kristoffer Arevalo took solo sixth at 279 after a 70, while Fidel Concepcion fired a 66 to join Jeffren Lumbo, who a 68, and Sean Ramos, who turned in a 70, in a three-way tie for seventh at 280.
Twenty-three years after turning professional in 2003 – and more than two decades after winning the Philippine Amateur Open in back-to-back fashion in 2000 and 2001 – Que continues to find ways to stay relevant in a sport increasingly dominated by younger players.
The victory was his 21st career title, coming just three months after his previous triumph at Caliraya Springs, where he survived a chaotic and wild final-round finish.
This time, there was no drama, no collapse and no frantic escape.
“I think if I start holing putts, that's what happens. I've been hitting it well like this for the past few years. The control is still there. The only difference between my tournaments is really just the putting,” said Que.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
