Jaraula’s Record 63 Seals Del Monte Glory

BUKIDNON — If Reymon Jaraula wanted to put an exclamation point on his homecoming, he couldn’t have done it any better.

On a course he knows like the back of his hand, the Bukidnon native turned in a jaw-dropping final-round performance — a record-setting nine-under-par 63 — to run away with a nine-shot victory in the ICTSI Del Monte Championship at the Del Monte Golf Club on Friday.

Right from the opening holes, you could tell Jaraula meant business. He birdied the first two holes to set the tone for what would become a round to remember — steady, confident, and unrelenting. By the time he walked up the 18th fairway, the title was his to claim. And fittingly, he sealed it with an eagle on the par-5 closing hole, shattering the old course record of 64 previously held by Clyde Mondilla — the same man who beat him by one shot here back in 2023.

“I didn’t expect this to be this convincing,” said the 33-year-old homegrown ace, smiling after his near-flawless round. “Everything clicked — driving, second shots, putting. And malaking tulong talaga na familiar ako sa course. Alam ko kung saan ilalagay ang bola.”

It showed. Jaraula hit all 14 fairways, reached 16 greens in regulation, and needed just 28 putts.

With every birdie, the home crowd grew louder, sensing something special unfolding. He birdied 14, 15, and 17 before that electrifying eagle at the last — the perfect way to cap off his dominant week.

Zaragosa, who started the day as his closest rival, simply couldn’t keep up. He settled for a 71 and a distant runner-up finish at 274. Japan’s Atsushi Ueda fired a 68 to grab solo third at 275, his best showing yet on the Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. circuit.

Russell Bautista (69) came in fourth at 276, while Arnold Villacencio (67), Clyde Mondilla (69), and Jaehyun Jung (69) tied for fifth at 278. Veteran Tony Lascuña slid down after a 73, joining Collin Wheeler (68) and Keanu Jahns (72) in a share of eighth.

But really, the day belonged to Jaraula — and Bukidnon knew it.

The win was extra sweet for the soft-spoken hometown hero. It was not only his fourth career title but also redemption for that painful one-shot loss two years ago — and to do it here, on home turf, made it all the more special.

“Masarap manalo kung saan ka nagsimula,” Jaraula said. “Ito na siguro ang best win ko.”