DAVAO CITY — In a climax thick with tension and nerve, Russell Bautista had the spotlight firmly in his grasp — until, in a cruel twist of fate, it slipped away.

Jeffrey Lumbo seized the moment with steely resolve, calmly drilling a nerve-wracking 16-foot birdie putt on the fifth playoff hole. As the ball disappeared into the cup, a thunderous roar erupted from the packed gallery, echoing Lumbo’s triumphant rise. Bautista’s six-foot putt agonizingly veered left, sealing his heartbreak and handing Lumbo the ICTSI South Pacific Classic crown.

The Friday showdown unfolded like a cinematic duel — a high-stakes battle between two players desperate for their career breakthrough. Their five-hole playoff was a grueling test of skill and nerve, marking the second-longest playoff in local circuit history, trailing only Rene Menor’s six-hole victory over Thai Pasavee Lertvilai in the 2017 PGT Asia at Splendido Taal.

It also surpassed Justin Quiban’s four-hole playoff triumph over Marvin Dumandan on the same South Pacific layout in 2023.

“I didn’t expect to make a comeback. I just enjoyed my game — I didn’t think about how big the lead was or how many holes were left,” said Lumbo in Filipino, emphasizing his focus and composure despite trailing for much of the round.

“In the playoff, I didn’t let the pressure get to me. I just stayed focused and enjoyed it,” he added.

Lumbo’s rally was the stuff of legend. Trailing Bautista by four shots after 54 holes — and by five midway through the final round — he stayed calm and consistent. While Bautista scorched the front nine with a 32, Lumbo quietly matched him with a bogey-free 33, keeping himself within striking distance.

Then came the turning point. Bautista began to falter under the mounting pressure, bogeying holes 11 and 16, while Lumbo surged with a clutch pitch-in birdie on No. 14.

By the time they reached the par-5 18th, Bautista still held a two-shot advantage. But the Sarangani native, who also calls South Pacific home, refused to yield. With nerves of steel, he drained a stunning 12-foot birdie putt for a closing 67 to force sudden death at 10-under 278. Bautista, meanwhile, faltered with a final-hole bogey after his six-foot par putt lipped out, settling for a 72.

In the playoff, the tension was palpable. Both players matched each other shot for shot through the first four holes — all played on the par-4 No. 9 — neither willing to blink.

On the decisive fifth hole, Lumbo’s poise shone brightest. Bautista’s pitch left him just six feet from the cup, seemingly in control. Lumbo’s approach, though two pins short, set the stage for a defining moment. With unshakeable confidence, he read the line perfectly and rolled in the putt with quiet precision. The crowd erupted. Under immense pressure, Bautista’s attempt slid left — and just like that, Lumbo claimed a hard-fought, emotional victory.

The triumph was more than just a win; it was a testament to Lumbo’s grit, focus, and heart. His ability to stay composed under fire and deliver in clutch moments announced the arrival of a new force in Philippine golf.

Along with the championship came a P616,000 winner’s purse — a career-best payday that quintupled his previous highest earnings.

“I still don’t know what I’ll do with the money,” Lumbo admitted with a smile. “I’m truly grateful to God — I wouldn’t be here without Him.”

Even as the playoff intensified, Lumbo’s calm never wavered. After trading pars through the first two holes, Bautista dazzled with a near-tap-in birdie setup — only for Lumbo to match with an equally brilliant wedge to inches.

On their fourth trip down No. 9, Bautista nearly closed it out with a pitch to eight feet, while Lumbo barely cleared the ditch short of the green. Yet the Sarangani pride responded with a nerveless chip to inches, rattling Bautista’s composure once more. When Bautista missed the potential clincher, Lumbo’s resilience carried him through to an unforgettable, well-earned victory.

Clyde Mondilla birdied the final two holes to card a sizzling 66, narrowly missing the playoff by one shot at 279. Ramil Bisera, unable to sustain his early form, struggled with a 72 and slipped to fourth at 281, after starting the day just a couple of strokes off Bautista’s lead.

Bautista took home P402,500, while Mondilla pocketed P224,000 for his solo third-place finish.