ILOILO — Jeffren Lumbo unleashed a blistering eight-under-par 62, punctuated by five birdies over his final six holes, to storm into a three-shot lead and put himself in prime position for another Philippine Golf Tour crown in the ICTSI Iloilo Golf Challenge on Thursday at the Iloilo Golf and Country Club.
Lumbo turned a crowded leaderboard into a commanding advantage with the best round of the day, surging to 10-under 200 after 54 holes and leaving Jhonnel Ababa and Francis Morilla three strokes behind at 203 heading into the championship round.
The 30-year-old Lumbo, coming off a runner-up finish at last week’s ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic, delivered his biggest charge on the back nine after beginning the third round among a tightly packed group of contenders.
After making birdie on No. 11, Lumbo caught fire late, pouring in five birdies over the last six holes as his precision iron play repeatedly created scoring opportunities.
“My irons just really clicked. It was solid,” Lumbo said in Filipino. “I struggled during the first two days, but everything worked for me today.”
Lumbo credited his superb iron play and steady driving for allowing him to capitalize on favorable scoring conditions despite changing weather throughout the round.
“The course condition is great today, but my irons were even better,” Lumbo said. “My driving was steady, which is crucial to scoring on this course.”
Ababa briefly grabbed the lead early in the round before losing ground, but late birdies allowed him to salvage a second consecutive 68 and remain within striking distance.
Morilla mounted an even stronger challenge with a four-under 66, opening with three birdies through his first seven holes before negotiating an eventful finish that featured three more birdies and two bogeys.
“My recovery shots were good,” Morilla said, after converting six birdie chances from inside eight feet.
The 32-year-old Morilla, chasing his first Philippine Golf Tour title in 12 years, will play in the final group for the first time and believes his current form gives him an opportunity to challenge Lumbo for the championship.
“With how I’m driving and putting right now, I think I have a real chance. I just hope the putting stays hot,” said Morilla, 32.
A bogey on the final hole denied Morilla outright second place and left him tied with Ababa.
Lumbo, however, clearly owned the third round as he took full advantage of conditions that shifted from early rain to sunshine and increased humidity before cloudy skies returned later in the day.
“My driving and putting both improved, but especially my irons,” Lumbo said. “Everything was so good, that’s why I managed to score an 8-under today.”
His spectacular 62 did not qualify as a course record because the round was played under preferred-lie conditions.
Lumbo’s surge also extended an impressive run of form. He finished runner-up to Art Arbole in last week’s ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic after capturing his maiden PGT title last year by defeating Russell Bautista in a five-hole playoff at South Pacific.
Reymon Jaraula remained firmly in contention after firing his third consecutive 68 for a 204 total, joining Ryoma, who surrendered the lead following an even-par 70.
Ryoma recovered from several setbacks and briefly worked his way back into contention before dropping shots at Nos. 13 and 15. He will enter the final round four strokes behind Lumbo.
Rupert Zaragosa also carded a 68, while Clyde Mondilla and Ira Alido fired identical 69s to share sixth place at 205.
Despite Lumbo’s three-shot cushion, the championship remains within reach of several contenders, with only five strokes separating the leader from the players tied for sixth.
The winner will pocket the ₱440,000 top prize at the conclusion of the final round at the Iloilo Golf and Country Club./PN
