ILOILO – Jhonnel Ababa kept his cool under a scorching sun and swirling winds, producing the only bogey-free round of the day to seize solo control of the ICTSI Iloilo Golf Challenge on Wednesday.
Ababa fired a three-under 67 at the Iloilo Golf and Country Club to emerge a stroke clear of a five-way logjam at second, where erstwhile leader Clyde Mondilla found himself in after a late stumble.
The leaderboard resembled a traffic jam on payday Friday, with positions changing almost as quickly as the wind shifted direction. Five more players were bunched at 69, while six others stood just another shot back at 70 in the P2.5 million championship organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.
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Mondilla appeared headed for the outright lead after reaching four-under with four holes to play. But the multi-titled campaigner missed the greens on Nos. 6 and 8, leaving himself lengthy par putts and eventually dropping both shots.
His 68 nevertheless kept him firmly in contention, joining Paul Echavez, Reymon Jaraula, Miki Ryoma and Rupert Zaragosa in a five-way tie for second.
Jeffren Lumbo, runner-up to Art Arbole in Negros last week, led the group at 69, alongside Randy Garalde, James Ryan Lam, Gerald Rosales, Guido van der Valk and Paul Vesinica.
The volatility of the opening round was underscored by Arbole's own roller-coaster finish.
Two-over after 15 holes, the reigning Negros champion suddenly found his touch with back-to-back birdies on Nos. 16 and 17, salvaging an even-par 70 and keeping himself within three strokes of Ababa.
Arbole was tied for 13th with Taewon Ha, Tony Lascuña, Francis Morilla, Edmar Salvador Jr. and Lee Song.
Also within striking distance at 71 were Ira Alido, Kristoffer Arevalo, Jerson Balasabas, Russell Bautista, Michael Bibat, Rico Depilo, Francis Mendez, Ryan Monsalvae and amateur Bobe Salahog.
Reigning Order of Merit champion and two-leg winner Angelo Que, meanwhile, settled for a 74 and a share of 28th with Jay Bayron, Elee Bisera, Carlos Packing, Enrico Gallardo and Justin Quiban.
With only three shots separating Ababa from a large group of pursuers, little was settled in the opening round.
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