Jhonnel Ababa fired the only bogey-free round on a windy opening day of the International Container Terminal Services Inc. Iloilo Golf Challenge here on Wednesday.
Ababa fired a three-under 67 at the Iloilo Golf and Country Club to emerge a stroke ahead of six players including Clyde Mondilla.
Five more players were bunched at 69, while six others stood just another shot back at 70 in the P2.5 million championship organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.
Ababa handled the conditions with composure, hitting birdies on Nos. 6, 11 and 14. He nearly made it four birdies when he reached the 18th but missed a three-foot putt.
‘My driving and iron play were solid, and my putting clicked. You really have to hit straight here because the fairways are narrow. If you miss, the rough is quite deep,’ Ababa said.
‘The course was extremely tough, especially when the wind picked up on the back nine. I focused on hitting greens in regulation, and whenever a birdie opportunity came up, I made the putt. I got a bit lucky today,’ said Ababa, seeking redemption after contending for three days in Negros Occidental last week before fading in the final round and settling for third.
Mondilla appeared headed for the outright lead himself after reaching four-under with four holes to play. But the multi-titled campaigner missed the greens on Nos. 6 and 8, leaving himself lengthy par putts and eventually dropping shots on both holes.
Mondilla, joint eight in Negros last week, was joined in second spot by Paul Echavez, Reymon Jaraula, Miki Ryoma and Rupert Zaragosa.
Jeffren Lumbo, runner-up to Art Arbole in Negros last week, led the group at 69, alongside Randy Garalde, James Ryan Lam, Gerald Rosales, Guido van der Valk and Paul Vesinica.
Two-over after 15 holes, Arbole hit birdies on Nos. 16 and 17, salvaging an even-par 70 and keeping himself within three strokes of Ababa.
‘It’s a good thing I managed to bounce back. The layouts of Iloilo and Negros are quite similar. For me, the main difference was that the rough here is thicker and the greens are slower, but it was manageable,’ Arbole said.
Arbole was tied for 13th with Taewon Ha, Tony Lascuña, Francis Morilla, Edmar Salvador Jr. and Lee Song.
Also within striking distance at 71 were Ira Alido, Kristoffer Arevalo, Jerson Balasabas, Russell Bautista, Michael Bibat, Rico Depilo, Francis Mendez, Ryan Monsalvae and amateur Bobe Salahog.
Reigning Order of Merit champion and two-leg winner Angelo Que, meanwhile, settled for a 74 and a share of 28th with Jay Bayron, Elee Bisera, Carlos Packing, Enrico Gallardo and Justin Quiban.