CAVINTI, Laguna – Keanu Jahns kept his foot on the pedal from start to finish, outduelling Angelo Que with a blazing final-round 64 to clinch the ICTSI Caliraya Springs Championship on Friday.
The four-stroke margin didn't reflect the fierce battle that unfolded under calm skies at the Lakeside course of Caliraya Springs Golf Club, which eventually became a showcase of Jahns' impressive game built around his length and precise wedge game.
READ Jahns stares down Que to seize Caliraya Springs lead
The 29-year-old Fil-German's closing eight-under card was powered by a scorching five-birdie stretch from No. 5. But he still needed four birdies over the last seven to finally put down the challenge from the veteran Que.
Two-up with two to play, Jahns birdied the 17th while Que faltered with a bogey from the bunker - a two-shot swing that sealed the P2.5-million championship.
“I just stayed composed and kept pace with Angelo because I knew someone was bound to shoot another low score today. We were battling it out up until No. 15 – it was a great match,” said Jahns, after capping off a brilliant performance with a 72-hole total of 22-under 266.
Reflecting on the intense duel with Que, Jahns, who banked P440,000, said: “It was fun. I enjoy these kinds of battles. They test your experience and character, and I’m proud I handled the pressure well.”
With the outcome all but sealed, the walk up the 18th became a victory march for Jahns, who had been building up momentum on the Philippine Golf Tour with a tie for sixth at Pradera Verde, a share of 17th finish at Eagle Ridge, and a joint runner-up showing at Forest Hills.
Que, ever the fighter, matched fire with fire for much of the round, mounting birdie surges to stay close, though bogeys and missed opportunities crept in. Just one back entering the final round, he matched Jahns’ frontside 32 with a five-birdie, one-bogey card.
But as Jahns shifted into overdrive, Que couldn't keep pace, settling for a two-birdie, one-bogey back nine. He signed off with a second straight 67 for a 270 total, good for runner-up honors and P287,500.
Rupert Zaragosa rallied late with a four-birdie blitz from No. 12 to shoot a 68 and snare solo third at 274, earning P160,000.
Fidel Concepcion, who began the day just two shots back and had only two bogeys across 54 holes, faltered in the final round. A double bogey on the last hole dropped him to fourth at 276, worth P127,500.
Justin Quiban battled back with a 67 while Carl Corpus shot a 70 as they shared fifth place at 278, splitting the combined P183,500 prize.
Sean Ramos backed up a solid third-round 67 with a bogey-free 68 to finish tied for seventh at 279 with Jhonnel Ababa (72), Aidric Chan (73) and Collin Wheeler (73).
But it was Jahns, who ultimately owned the day and claimed the spotlight.
Despite a fast start featuring five birdies, he remained grounded and focused.
“I didn’t try to do anything special,” he said. “I just stuck to my routine and committed to every shot. One shot at a time – that’s always the goal.”
It wasn’t until the 17th, he admitted, that the title finally felt secure.
“After I birdied No. 15 to go two up, I felt more confident,” said Jahns. “On 16, we both had to grind for par. Then on 17, Angelo hit the bunker and made bogey. I made birdie – that was the turning point.”
That decisive two-shot swing turned a tense duel into a coronation.
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