NEGROS OCCIDENTAL – Jhonnel Ababa weathered a late wobble to fire a five-under 65 and share the opening-round lead with Art Artbole in the ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic on Monday at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club.
Ababa had looked poised for an even more spectacular finish until his wayward drive on the par-5 18th put him in trouble. That led to a bogey that denied the former Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit winner a fittind end to a near-flawless round.
Still, the 65 put the Davaoeño ace in contention in a tournament that produced a packed leaderboard.
For Ababa, however, the numbers on the leaderboard were only part of the story.
He is trying to rediscover the form that once made him one of the circuit’s most consistent winners while adjusting to an increasingly competitive Philippine professional golf landscape, where rising young players and seasoned campaigners continue to push the established names.
“Focus lang sa laro at sa mga anak ko, at enjoy lang sa paglalaro kahit may pinagdadaanan,” said Ababa, who chose not to elaborate.
What he did on the course, though, spoke loudly enough.
After missing the cut in the season-opening leg at Lakewood, Ababa posted Top 10 finishes in three of the next four legs, including a joint sixth at Pradera Verde. He arrived here fresh from another joint 10th-place finish at Summit Point two weeks ago, gradually rebuilding the confidence that he lost early in the season.
If Ababa's round was defined by control before a late lapse, Arbole's five-under card was a combination of recovery, aggression and a stroke of fortune. He produced the day’s first 65, anchored on an eagle on the par-4 No. 4.
Still searching for the first victory of his 14-year career, Arbole suddenly found himself in an ideal position after 18 holes, although the crowded leaderboard offered little room for error.
Jay Bayron, Josh Jorge and Elee Bisera were just two strokes behind with identical 67s, while Jeffren Lumbo came agonizingly close to joining the leaders – or even taking sole possession of the top spot – before a late collapse.
Lumbo appeared ready to seize control after six birdies in his first 10 holes, including three pairs of back-to-back birdies on Nos. 1, 5 and 9.
But the South Pacific leg winner stumbled late. A bogey on No. 15 was followed by a costly double bogey on the closing hole, dropping him to 68 and into a six-way tie for sixth with Albin Engino, Ryan Monsalve, Guido van der Valk, Bautista and Rupert Zaragosa.
Van der Valk delivered one of the day's highlights, acing the 178-yard par-3 13th with a 6-iron and a Srixon No. 4 ball. It was the Dutchman’s ninth career hole-in-one, earning him P10,000 from the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club.
Zaragosa hat-trick bid
Zaragosa, meanwhile, kept his bid for a piece of history alive.
Seeking a record third consecutive victory at Marapara, Zaragosa fired four birdies against two bogeys for a 68, keeping himself within striking distance of the leaders and ensuring that his unprecedented target remains very much in play.
Tony Lascuna, Kristoffer Arevalo, Randy Garalde and Francis Mendez carded identical 69s, while Clyde Mondilla, Jobim Carlos, Carlos Packing, Miki Ryoma and Francis Morilla opened with even-par 70s.
Reigning Order of Merit winner Angelo Que settled for a 73 and share of 35th.
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