NEGROS Occidental – Fourteen years of waiting brought Art Arbole to a place he has long dreamed of: the top of a Philippine Golf Tour leaderboard with a championship within reach.
Arbole took a major step toward ending that long title drought on Tuesday, producing a personal-best 36-hole total after a bogey-free 67 to seize solo control at the halfway mark of the ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic at the Marapara layout.
Career first for Arbole
The performance gave the journeyman his first outright lead after two rounds.
“This is the first time that I was able to lead in two days. My game continues to come together – driving, irons and putting,” said Arbole, his eyes betraying the excitement of a player who knows how close he is to a long-awaited breakthrough.
“I just need to stay focused day-to-day. Basta mag-connect lang lahat,” added Arbole, who overcame a double bogey in the opening round with an eagle and five birdies to share the lead with Jhonnel Ababa at 65.
Arbole’s eight-under 132 put him one stroke clear of Ababa, but the chasing pack is close enough to make the third round a potential turning point.
“Kailangan dito steady ang driving mo,” said Ababa, who fired a 68 and lost a share of the lead after another costly bogey on the par-5 18th.
Only one stroke separates the top two, while Jeffren Lumbo lurks three shots behind Arbole at 135. He is tied with van der Valk, who also carded a three-under card in another scorching day.
Albin Engino carded another 68 to move into solo fifth at 136, while Clyde Mondilla also shot a 68 to join Randy Garalde (69), Russell Bautista (70), defending two-time champion Rupert Zaragosa (70) and Josh Jorge (71) in a share of sixth at 138.
The tour’s biggest names all survived the cut and advanced to the final 36 holes of the P2.5-million championship organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., but they now face a sizable deficit and will need a strong Moving Day charge to get back into the thick of the title fight.
Aidric Chan shot a 69 but remained tied for 17th at 141 with Tony Lascuña, who slipped to 72, along with Ira Alido (70) and Edmar Salvador Jr. (70).
Caliraya Springs and Summit Point leg winner Angelo Que rebounded from a 73 with a 69 to join Erwin Madrileño (70), Jobim Carlos (72) and Jay Bayron (75) at 21st at 142.
Eight players caught the last bus at the cutoff score of 145: Rico Depilo (71), Kim Tae Soo (72), Jeremy Tandoy (72), Ramil Bisera (73), Boni Salahog (73), Gab Manotoc (74), Francis Morilla (75) and Kristoffer Arevalo (76).
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