REYMON JARAULA carded a course record nine-under 63 to blow the field away and clinch a dominant nine-stroke victory in the International Container Terminal Services Inc. Del Monte Championship at Del Monte Golf Club in Bukidnon on Friday.
From the moment he birdied the first two holes, it was clear Jaraula wasn’t just out to win-he was out to make a statement-and what followed was a relentless display of precision and confidence as he distanced himself from the field, particularly overnight rival Rupert Zaragosa.
He cruised to the title with a tournament total of 23-under 265-one of the lowest in Philippine Golf Tour history.
The exclamation point came on the par-five 18th hole where Jaraula capped his record-setting, bogey-free round with an eagle, cementing both the victory and his place in Del Monte lore.
His 63 shattered the previous course record of 64 held by Clyde Mondilla since 2023-the same year Mondilla edged Jaraula by one for the crown.
‘I didn’t expect this to be very convincing,’ said Jaraula, who was near-flawless from tee to green. ‘Everything clicked – driving, second shots and putting.’
‘And my familiarity with the course helped a lot, I know where to position my ball,’ he added.
Jaraula’s performance was a lesson in local knowledge and elite execution-he hit all 14 fairways, found 16 greens in regulation and needed just 28 putts.
With the home crowd cheering him on, he turned the final day into a coronation with birdies at Nos. 14, 15 and 17 before that dramatic eagle finish.
Zaragosa, who led midway the tournament, simply couldn’t keep up and finished with a second straight 71 for a distant runner-up at 274, while Japan’s Atsushi Ueda carded a 68 to place third at 275-his best career finish on the Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.-organized circuit.
Russell Bautista (69) secured solo fourth at 276, while Arnold Villacencio (67), Mondilla (69), and Korean Jaehyun Jung (69) tied for fifth at 278.
Tony Lascuña, who started the day in solo third, stumbled with a 73 to join Collin Wheeler (68) and Keanu Jahns (72) at joint eighth on 279.
But the tournament belonged entirely to Jaraula.
The 33-year-old Bukidnon native, who trains at both Del Monte and Pueblo de Oro, not only claimed his fourth career title but also erased the sting of his 2023 runner-up finish.
And doing it on his home course, in front of an appreciative local crowd, made it all the more meaningful.
‘It’s so sweet to win where you started your career,’ he said. ‘I feel this is my best victory.’
After seizing a one-shot lead over Zaragosa in Thursday’s Moving Day, Jaraula knew he had to strike early and birdied three of his first six holes, extending his lead to four by the turn.
A birdie on the par-five No. 9 stretched the gap further and effectively putting the result beyond doubt.
‘I told myself I couldn’t be reckless,’ he said, recalling how Mondilla chased him down two years ago. ‘Even with the lead, I had to stay focused.’
Jaraula calmly navigating the back nine before shifting to attack mode with the finish line in sight and with a comfortable cushion on No. 18, he went for the green in two-and landed a majestic second shot just five feet from the pin.
He drained the eagle putt to complete his historic round.
Jaraula pocketed P623,000 from the P3.5 million purse and regained a surge of confidence heading into the next two legs in Davao.
For his latest feat, he first thanked God, followed by his supporters, including Del Monte Golf Club and Pueblo de Oro, where he regularly trains, as well as Golf Depot and Mizuno.