Ababa posts stunning win

ILOILO — Jhonnel Ababa staged a dramatic late-round comeback, birdieing the final two holes to edge Jeffren Lumbo by one stroke and capture the ICTSI Iloilo Golf Challenge title with a scintillating 63 at the Iloilo Golf and Country Club on Friday.

Ababa, a former Order of Merit champion, erased a three-shot deficit to Lumbo, who had appeared firmly in control after opening the final round with a cushion over Ababa and Francis Morilla.

The 30-year-old Lumbo closed with a 67 but could not withstand Ababa’s furious finish.

Ababa drew level at 13-under after a birdie-birdie-eagle run from No. 12, only for Lumbo to regain the outright lead with a birdie on No. 15. The veteran answered with another birdie on No. 17 to force a tie heading to the last hole.

On the 18th, Ababa hit a solid drive that left him 50 yards from the pin. He then used his 60-degree wedge to set up a four-foot birdie putt.

Lumbo’s birdie attempt, from about three pins away, missed, leaving Ababa with the chance to win outright. He calmly sank his putt for a closing seven-under 63 and a 14-under 266 total worth P440,000.

“Talagang ipinagkaloob lang ng Diyos kaya nanalo ako. Hindi ko naman akalaing mananalo ako dito kasi malaki ang lamang ni Jeffren,” Ababa said, dedicating the victory to his family, including his late wife, Mailyn, and their sons, John Michael and Samuel.

Ababa said he remained focused on keeping his shots in play despite trailing.

“Hindi naman ako na-pressure. Sabi ko lang, kailangan fairway at green lang, tapos baka makatsamba,” he said.

Lumbo settled for his third runner-up finish of the year at 267 and earned P287,500, while Reymon Jaraula fired a 66 to take third at 270.

Clyde Mondilla and Morilla tied for fourth at 272, with Mondilla shooting 67 and Morilla 69. Rupert Zaragosa finished sixth at 273 after a second straight 68.

Art Arbole, Ira Alido and Japan’s Miki Ryoma shared seventh at 275.

The victory was Ababa’s 14th Philippine Golf Tour title and marked a measure of redemption after he finished third in the Negros Occidental leg last year, where he faded in the final round after contending through the first three days.

For Lumbo, who also finished second at Pinewoods earlier this season, the defeat came after he had controlled much of the tournament. But Ababa’s closing charge turned the final two holes into the decisive stretch, sealing another PGT crown for the seasoned campaigner.