FORMER caddie Jeffren Lumbo was determined to become a seaman until the pandemic altered his plans.
A graduate of maritime transportation from Mindanao Polytechnic College in General Santos City, Lumbo was in Zamboanga for an apprenticeship when Covid-19 struck in 2020.
Stranded for two years due to travel restrictions, he was unable to return home to Sarangani, where he was born and raised.
Little did he know that fate had other plans for him.
Fast forward to 2024. Lumbo hit the headlines by outscoring the country’s top pros in the last two rounds to share third place in the ICTSI Villamor Philippine Masters on Saturday.
The 27-year-old shot a pair of four-under-par 68s, earning low amateur honors and P40,000 worth of gift certificates.
What made the feat even more remarkable was that Lumbo barely had time to prepare.
Pro shop assistant who's got game
A store assistant at Pin High Golf Shop at Villamor, Lumbo said he plays only twice or thrice a week and spends at least two hours a day at the practice green. He earned his way into the event by placing in the Top 3 during the qualifying rounds held before the Masters.
Before this week, Lumbo’s only major tournaments were the Fil-Am Invitational in Baguio City, the Philippine Airlines Men’s Interclub in Cagayan de Oro City, and the Davao Eaglemasters.
Hardly anyone knew him, except businessman Gary Sales, who brought him to Manila last year. Recognizing Lumbo's potential, Sales took him under his wing.
Lumbo took up golf at the age of 15 while working as a caddie at the Sarangani Golf and Country Club, where his father works in maintenance. He’s the sixth in a brood of seven. He first worked as a ballboy before graduating to become a caddie while finishing his studies.
A self-taught golfer, Lumbo has a short backswing and hits his driver about 270 yards, just below the tour’s average. He never had a coach and got his first golf set only last year courtesy of Sales, his boss and benefactor.
Lumbo scored 72 in the first round and 75 the day after to easily make the halfway cut, which was pegged at seven-over.
He started getting everyone's attention in the third round, where he matched the day’s best of 68 of Korean leader Rho Hyun Ho, Lloyd Jefferson Go, and Japanese Daiya Suzuki.
Paired with Rupert Zaragosa and Sean Jean Ramos in the final round, Lumbo started strong with four birdies in the first six holes. After a bogey on the 7th, he birdied the 9th and 11th to go 6-under for the tournament.
At the signature 170-yard, 12th hole, Lumbo sent his six-iron tee shot over the green and into the thick rough. He failed to get up and down, resulting in his second bogey, before closing with seven straight pars.
He finished the tournament on 5-under 283, five shots behind winner Angelo Que.
Ripe for the pros
Sales believes Lumbo is ready to turn professional next year after another stint representing Eastridge Golf Club in the Fil-Am Invitational and the Philippine Airlines Men’s Interclub.
Lumbo now has the chance to live the life of a touring pro.
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