MURCIA, Negros Occidental – Reymon Jaraula maintained his steely nerves down the stretch to fend off Angelo Que’s late surge and secure a one-stroke victory after a closing 68 in the ICTSI Bacolod Golf Challenge on Friday.
Jaraula’s third Philippine Golf Tour title was a testament to his ability to execute under pressure as he saved par at the 180-yard par-3 18th after pulling his tee shot 40 yards to the left of the green to hold off Que, who spiked his scorching 64 with birdies on four of the last six holes.
Jaraula's remarkable poise
The Bukidnon native showed remarkable poise, producing a masterful chip shot that rolled four feet past the hole. After carefully studying the line from all angles, he confidently knocked in the winning par putt.
“I never doubted I could save that par. My caddie told me it was the perfect spot to make a chip shot," said Jaraula, who secured the victory with a 16-under 264 total, earning him P440,000.
Que, starting the day five shots back, ended up at 15-under 265 for second place worth P287,500. Two flights behind the leader, Que’s rally forced Jaraula to dig deep, as any slip on the final hole could have led to a playoff.
But Jaraula, 32, remained unfazed, stringing together pars from the 12th through the 17th to keep his lead intact.
His composure was further tested when flightmates, Hyun Ho Rho and Jhonnel Ababa, positioned themselves for potential birdies on the 18th. Rho birdied the last hole and finished with a 66 to claim solo third at 266 (P160,000).
"There was pressure on the back nine, especially after Que finished strong with two birdies. But I kept telling myself to just par the remaining holes, and that's exactly what I did," added Jaraula, who drew strength from his family and supporters.
The victory marked only the third in Jaraula’s 11-year professional career, a surprising statistic for a player who showed such brilliance and potential during his amateur days.
Despite his talent, it took him six years to claim his first professional title in 2019, where he bested veteran Tony Lascuña in a thrilling sudden-death victory at Pueblo de Oro.
Clyde Mondilla mounted an aggressive run of birdies, recording six by the 14th hole to keep himself in contention. However, missed chances on the par-5 15th and the final three holes curtailed his comeback bid. He settled for fourth with a 268 after a 64.
Aidric Chan rallied with a 65 to tie Ababa, who wound up with a 70, for fifth at 269, while Forest Hills leg winner Keanu Jahns fought back with a 66 to earn a share of seventh at 270 with Kim Tae Soo, who carded a 69.
Sean Ramos, who scored a breakthrough at Lakewood, also fired a 65 for ninth at 271 while Ira Alido sizzled with a 66 for joint 10th at 272 with Ozeki Kakeru, who faltered with a 71 in hot but windy conditions.
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