Jahns to employ ‘same strategy’
'But I’ve been putting in work on the Trackman, dialing in my distances and especially working on my driver. I didn’t drive the ball particularly well during the first two events.'
Daily Tribune'But I’ve been putting in work on the Trackman, dialing in my distances and especially working on my driver. I didn’t drive the ball particularly well during the first two events.'
Keanu Jahns
ANTIPOLO CITY — Keanu Jahns returns to the site of his breakthrough win with tempered expectations but renewed determination, aiming for a back-to-back victory at the ICTSI Forest Hills Classic, which kicks off today at the challenging Jack Nicklaus-designed course here.
“I’m not really expecting anything, as usual. I try to keep myself in the present,” said the Filipino-German standout on the eve of the event.
“I know that if I can do that, I usually play my best.”
Jahns stunned the field at Forest Hills last year when he edged Rupert Zaragosa by two shots to capture his maiden Philippine Golf Tour crown. However, his form has been uneven so far this season. He posted a promising tied-for-sixth finish at Pradera Verde in February, but faltered to a joint 17th at Eagle Ridge in March.
Despite the rocky start, he remains quietly confident heading back to familiar territory.
“I’m pretty confident. As long as I can manage the course well enough, I can put up some good scores,” he said.
His motivation has also taken on a deeper, more personal tone since becoming a father last November.
“Of course, I’ve been more motivated since my daughter’s birth,” he shared.
“She’s been a huge inspiration.”
Still, balancing work and preparation has been a challenge for the 29-year-old pro. Jahns admitted he hasn’t had the chance to log many on-course practice rounds in the lead-up to his title defense.
“I haven’t had a lot of time for on-course practice because I’ve been busy with work,” he explained.
“But I’ve been putting in work on the Trackman, dialing in my distances and especially working on my driver. I didn’t drive the ball particularly well during the first two events.”
Forest Hills’ hilly, undulating terrain, lined with narrow fairways and tricky greens, demands precision and poise. Jahns, however, is sticking to the game plan that brought him glory last year.
“Same strategy,” he said.
“But I wouldn’t call it conservative — it’s more of a smart-aggressive style of play. I aim slightly off my target line to account for my natural miss. If I can do that and keep a decent FIR (fairways in regulation) and GIR (greens in regulation) with solid putting, I can shoot good scores.”
