CAVINTI, Laguna — It was the kind of final round you dream about if you’re a golfer — perfect weather, an audience of friends and fellow pros, and a golf course that dares you to go low. For Keanu Jahns, it turned into the perfect stage for the biggest win of his career.

The 29-year-old German-Filipino, who has spent years honing his game on the local circuit, delivered a scintillating eight-under-par 64 on Friday to win the ICTSI Caliraya Springs Championship by four shots over friend and veteran tour star Angelo Que.

His 22-under 266 total over the four-day event was a statement of form, patience, and nerve.

Friends turned rivals for a day

The storyline was set early: Jahns and Que, close friends who often share practice rounds and laughs off the course, found themselves locked in a head-to-head duel from the opening hole.

Que, 46, is one of the most respected names in Philippine golf — a three-time Asian Tour champion with an easy-going charm that hides his competitive fire.

Jahns, nearly two decades his junior, is part of the new wave — long off the tee, quietly confident, and hungry for that career breakthrough.

“I knew it wasn’t going to be easy,” Jahns admitted. “Angelo’s won so many times. He knows how to handle the pressure.”

Trading birdies, shot for shot

The Lakeside course at Caliraya Springs Golf Club was in prime condition.

Designed by the legendary Arnold Palmer, its sweeping fairways hug the ridges overlooking Lake Caliraya, with greens that demand both precision and touch.

From the par-3 fifth to the par-5 ninth, Jahns caught fire — five straight birdies, each greeted with polite applause from the gallery and a knowing smile from Que. The veteran answered with birdies of his own, never letting the younger player get more than a stroke or two ahead.

By the turn, it was clear: this was a two-man race.

The turning point at 17

After matching pars and birdies through much of the back nine, the duel came to a head on the par-4 17th.

Jahns, holding a slim one-shot lead, rolled in a confident 12-foot birdie putt.

Que, meanwhile, pushed his approach into the greenside bunker and couldn’t save par.

The two-shot swing was decisive.

“I didn’t want to look at the leaderboard,” Jahns said. “But after that birdie on 17, I knew I just needed to keep it together on 18.”

A safe tee shot, a smooth approach, and two putts for par later — it was done. Jahns had his breakthrough.

The final numbers

Que closed with a 67 for a 270 total, taking home the P287,500 runner-up check. Despite the disappointment, he was all smiles afterward. “Keanu played great,” he said. “Sometimes you just have to tip your hat.”

Rupert Zaragosa, known for his laser-like irons and short game wizardry, fired a 68 to secure solo third at 274. Fidel Concepcion, in contention for much of the week, faltered with a closing double bogey on the 18th to slip to fourth.

A month in the making

This win didn’t come out of nowhere. Jahns had been trending upward: sixth at Pradera Verde, 17th at Eagle Ridge, and runner-up at Forest Hills. Each week seemed to sharpen his confidence and consistency.

“It’s really about the process,” Jahns said. “You keep doing the right things and eventually, the results come.”

Why this win matters

For Jahns, it’s not just a trophy or a paycheck — it’s proof he can close against the best, under pressure, on a championship course. It’s a confidence boost heading into the remaining legs of the tour and possibly, a stepping stone to bigger stages abroad.

For Que, it’s a reminder that even with decades of experience, the game still has its unpredictability — and that the next generation is ready to challenge.

As the sun dipped over the hills and the lake reflected a sky streaked with gold, Jahns posed with his trophy, the moment both surreal and hard-earned.

“It’s special,” he said simply. “Days like this… you don’t forget.”