ILOILO — Jhonnel Ababa birdied the final two holes to complete a dramatic late comeback and snatch the ICTSI Iloilo Golf Challenge crown by one stroke from Jeffren Lumbo on Friday at the Iloilo Golf and Country Club.
Ababa erased a three-shot final-round deficit with a blistering seven-under-par 63, finishing at 14-under 266 to secure his 14th Philippine Golf Tour title and the P440,000 top prize.
The veteran campaigner appeared headed for a runner-up finish after entering the closing stretch still chasing Lumbo, who had carried a three-stroke advantage into the final round following a 62 on Thursday.
But Ababa steadily cut into the deficit and delivered when it mattered most, sinking consecutive birdies on Nos. 17 and 18 to complete the turnaround.
His decisive birdie on the final hole came after a solid drive left him about 50 yards from the pin. Using a 60-degree wedge, Ababa knocked his approach to within four feet of the cup.
With Lumbo, playing ahead, missing his own birdie attempt, Ababa calmly buried the short putt to seal the championship.
Lumbo closed with a 67 for a 13-under 267 total, one stroke behind Ababa. He settled for his third runner-up finish of the season and received P287,500.
Ababa said he hardly expected to emerge with the title after falling behind Lumbo.
“Talagang ipinagkaloob lang ng Diyos kaya nanalo ako. Hindi ko naman akalaing mananalo ako dito kasi malaki ang lamang ni Jeffren. Kaya talagang ipinagkaloob Niya ito,” said Ababa.
Instead of aggressively chasing the deficit, Ababa said he focused on keeping the ball in play and waiting for an opportunity.
“Hindi naman ako na-pressure. Sabi ko lang, kailangan fairway at green lang, tapos baka makatsamba. Sa No. 17, maganda ang linya,” he said.
Ababa admitted that heading into the closing holes, his immediate goal was merely to force a playoff.
“Playoff lang talaga ang habol ko at baka may chance. Pero na-miss niya ‘yung putt niya at naka-one putt ako,” he said.
Reymon Jaraula fired a 66 to finish third at 10-under 270.
Clyde Mondilla carded a 67 to tie Francis Morilla, who shot a 69, for fourth place at 272.
Rupert Zaragosa posted a second straight 68 to take sixth at 273, while Art Arbole, Ira Alido and Japan’s Miki Ryoma shared seventh place at 275.
The victory also provided redemption for Ababa after he finished third in last week’s ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic, where he battled Arbole for much of the tournament before slipping on the final day./PN
