NEGROS OCCIDENTAL – Dino Villanueva rode a blistering frontside that bordered on the spectacular to overcome a shaky windup and seize control with an opening five-under 65 in the ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic on Tuesday.
Coming off a hole-in-one feat to cap his campaign in last week’s Bacolod Challenge, Villanueva torched the Marapara layout with a jaw-dropping 28 on the front nine – a run highlighted by four straight birdies from No. 5 and a pitch-in eagle on the ninth hole of the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club.
“Nilaro ko lang ang fairway at greens, tapos nilalapit ko lang ang mga putts – pero pumapasok” said the 13-year pro, who is still in search of a breakthrough Philippine Golf Tour victory.
But Villanueva bogeyed the dogleg par-4 11th after missing the fairway and an eight-foot par-save that failed to drop, then yielded another stroke on No. 17 after missing the green.
Worse, on the closing par-5 hole – a potential momentum-builder for Round 2 – Villanueva muffed a four-foot birdie chance, winding up with 65 that could have been even lower.
“It was actually a tough putt, a downhill one, at nalaylay yung putt ko,” he said, visibly disappointed with the late slip but nonetheless pleased to be in early contention in the P2 million championship, which serves as the sixth leg of the 10-stage circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.
“This is my best start,” added Villanueva, who had two second place finishes, the last in 2023 at Mimosa Plus. “Pero medyo nag-struggle sa backnine – mahirap ang pin placements at may mga tee shots na trouble talaga."
Despite his faltering finish, the 65 stood tall on a day where only 19 players broke par, a testament to the challenge posed by the tight, rain-softened course even with the implementation of “lift, clean, and place” rule.
He led by two over a tightly packed group at 67, headlined by red-hot Keanu Jahns, who is chasing a third straight title after dominant wins at Caliraya Springs and Bacolod. Jahns birdied his last two holes to recover from a double bogey on No. 11, putting together a steady 33-34 card.
Reymon Jaraula also shot 67, nearly matching Villanueva’s frontside fireworks with a 30 before stumbling with two bogeys at the backside. Michael Bibat, seeking redemption after a rough Bacolod outing, carded five birdies against two bogeys for his share of second. He closed with a flourish, birdying two of his last four holes.
Also at 67 were Dan Cruz, Collin Wheeler and Japan’s Atsushi Ueda. Cruz turned in one of the more surprising performances of the day, coming off a string of missed cuts and a tied for 31st finish last week. He birdied four of his last seven holes to negate his lone bogey on No. 7, turning in a 36-31 – easily his best start in any PGT event.
Wheeler, who showed flashes of brilliance last week, and Ueda, who birdied two of his last six, likewise kept themselves within striking distance in the 72-hole championship.
Meanwhile, another shot further back at 68 were two-leg winner Angelo Que, Asian Tour campaigner Justin Quiban, Zanieboy Gialon, Nilo Salahog, Arnold Villacencio and last week’s low amateur Bobe Salahog, who impressed once again.
Defending champion Rupert Zaragosa, Jhonnel Ababa, Jay Bayron, Chon Koo Kang, Francis Morilla and Sean Ramos are among those at 69, while the likes of Clyde Mondilla, Marvin Dumandan, Mars Pucay, Elee Bisera, Russell Bautista and Fidel Concepcion are still within reach at even-par 70.
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