Iron play lifts Jaraula to the top

ANTIPOLO — Reymon Jaraula showcased masterful iron play under sweltering conditions to seize a one-stroke lead over Guido van der Valk halfway through the ICTSI Forest Hills Classic on Wednesday.

Jaraula carded a five-under-par 66 to surge atop the leaderboard at eight-under 134 at the Jack Nicklaus-designed course, capping a dramatic second round marked by a shuffle among the frontrunners.

Starting the day behind early leaders Justin Quiban, van der Valk, Keanu Jahns, and Jeffren Lumbo, Jaraula sparked his charge with a birdie on the par-5 16th hole. He then finished his front nine with four birdies on Nos. 1, 4, 6, and 9, all from inside four feet — a dazzling display of precision iron play.

“My irons were solid; almost all my approach shots were close,” Jaraula said. “I just played my game and focused on the task at hand.”

His only setback was a bogey on No. 12 after an errant drive found a hazard, which balanced out an earlier birdie on the 10th. His surge echoed the strong back-nine 31 he posted on Tuesday, setting the stage for his climb to the top.

After winning in Bacolod last October, Jaraula struggled in the early part of this year’s Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. circuit, finishing tied for 11th at Pradera Verde and a distant joint 19th at Eagle Ridge.

Van der Valk briefly took the lead with a birdie on No. 3, but settled for a 69, dropping to second at 135 after relinquishing the top spot.

Jahns, despite a spectacular 40-foot eagle on No. 16, faltered with a double bogey on 18 and a late bogey on No. 8 to card a 69 and sit third at 136.

Lumbo, who started with a 67, lost momentum with a 71 and dropped to a tie for fourth at 138, while Quiban, leader after a first-round 65, faltered with a 74 marred by three front-nine bogeys, falling to a tie for fifth at 139 alongside Tom Marcelo, who struggled with a 73.

With the P2.5-million championship entering its decisive phase, tension mounts as players will now be grouped by score, increasing the intensity amid challenging conditions.

“Any tournament you win builds confidence for the rest of the season,” van der Valk said. “I’ll just go shot-by-shot and stay in the moment.”

Defending champion Jahns remains optimistic despite falling back. “Just stick to my game plan and manage the course better,” he said. “If I do that, I still have a shot.”

With momentum shifting and the challenge intensifying, the final two rounds promise drama and decisive shot-making — with Jaraula now the man to catch.

Meanwhile, only 46 players made the cut at 149, including veterans Tony Lascuna (73), Jonas Magcalayo (74), and Gab Manotoc (76).

Kristoffer Arevalo (75-150), Hyun Ho Rho (75-150), Jhonnel Ababa (75-151), Jay Bayron (74-154), and Ira Alido (77-155) failed to advance.