ILOILO – Jhonnel Ababa staged a dramatic late-round comeback, birdieing the final two holes to edge Jeffren Lumbo by one and capture the ICTSI Iloilo Golf Challenge title with a scintillating 63 at the Iloilo Golf and Country Club on Friday.
The former Order of Merit champion unleashed a furious closing charge, pulling level with Lumbo on the 17th before sinking another clutch birdie on the 72nd hole to the cheers from the large crowd gathered around the 18th green.
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Lumbo opened a three-shot cushion over Ababa and Francis Morilla following a near-flawless third-round showing Thursday, putting himself in prime position to claim his second career victory. But not even a final-round 67 could finish it.
Under sweltering conditions, Ababa steadily chipped away at Lumbo’s advantage while a host of contenders, including Morilla, Reymon Jaraula, Clyde Mondilla, Ira Alido and Rupert Zaragosa, also tried to stay within striking distance.
He secured a one-stroke victory over Lumbo on a closing seven-under card and a 14-under 266 total worth P440,000.
Lumbo closed with a three-under card to settle for his third runner-up finish of the year at 267 and pocketed P287,500, while Jaraula fired a 66 to snatch third place at 270 after one of the fiercest four-day battles in Philippine Golf Tour history.
It was Ababa’s 14th PGT victory.
Mondilla carded a 67 to tie Morilla, who shot a 69, for fourth at 272, while Zaragosa posted a second straight 68 to finish sixth at 273.
Negros Occidental leg winner Art Arbole rallied with a 68 to tie Alido, who matched par with a 70, and Japan’s Miki Ryoma, who slipped with a 71, for seventh at 275.
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