CAVINTI, Laguna – Carl Corpus upstaged veteran Angelo Que of their much-anticipated showdown — albeit in separate flights — on the ICTSI Caliraya Springs Championship Wednesday, exhibiting admirable resolve and composure within the closing stretch to shoot a 69 and wrest solo management within the race for the Philippine Golf Tour crown right here.
Steadying himself after a roller-coaster entrance 9, Corpus toughened up when it mattered most. He fired a clutch two-birdie end in his final 9 holes for a gutsy 35-34 underneath darkening skies, edging previous Que and the remainder of the sphere with a nine-under 135 mixture.
The younger gun’s gritty stand mirrored the poise and maturity of a seasoned professional, additional validating his breakout triumph on the Asian Growth Tour in Morocco final June.
Although removed from flawless, Corpus’ skill to grind, keep within the second, and belief his course of has moved him nearer to a maiden PGT victory.
“I struck the ball higher yesterday (Tuesday),” mentioned Corpus, whose spectacular opening 66 earned him a share of the Day 1 lead with Que. “I ready and executed the identical means in the present day, however I had just a few errant photographs and fewer stable executions.”
Nonetheless, Corpus discovered a method to cling robust. He birdied three holes, however two bogeys on the entrance 9 stalled his momentum. Undeterred, he reminded himself to dig deep within the again 9.
“I instructed myself to not dwell on errors and to give attention to what I may nonetheless do proper. I simply wanted to make a robust backnine cost. I used to be in a position to make extra putts and end sturdy,” mentioned Corpus, who birdied Nos. 12 and 15 to shut with a stable 34.
As Corpus firmed up his title bid, Que faltered in the long run. A mis-hit drive and an overshot strategy on the 18th led to a bogey and a second-round 70, pushing the seasoned campaigner all the way down to joint second at 136.
“I hit it higher in the present day than yesterday however putted worse,” rued Que. “I do know I nonetheless shot two-under nevertheless it may’ve simply gone very low. I simply missed loads of putts.”
The three-time Asian Tour champion, nonetheless, remained upbeat: “However it’s what it’s. Hopefully I can type out the placing tomorrow.”
Tied with Que are Jhonnel Ababa and Korean Ji Sung Cheon, who each delivered sturdy rounds to get into the title combine. Ababa, a former Order of Advantage winner, rebounded from an early slip to card an eagle-spiked 67. He rediscovered his placing contact and knocked in birdies on Nos. 6, 10, 15 and 18.
“I struggled with my placing within the first spherical, however in the present day all the pieces clicked — driving, irons and placing,” mentioned the Davaoeño ace, who final received at Apo Golf in a playoff over Guido van der Valk.
He additionally delivered an excellent drive on par-5 No. 12, adopted by a pinpoint 3-wood second shot from 230 yards that arrange a tap-in eagle.
Cheon, simply 19, flashed each precision and energy in an excellent 66 anchored on an eagle, additionally on the twelfth, the place he crushed a hybrid second shot from 228 yards and rolled in a monster 35-foot putt. He offset a three-putt bogey on No. 5 with 5 birdies and flawless play the remainder of the best way.
“I really feel extra snug now on this course,” mentioned Cheon, whose familiarity has translated into higher management and shot choice. “I hit 15 greens and saved par on these I missed. I simply have to remain centered and commit to each shot.”
However even with Corpus forward, and Que, Ababa and Cheon respiration down his neck, the event is way from a executed deal.
A slew of contenders lurk only one or two photographs again — able to pounce on any slip-ups and switch the P2.5-million championship organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. right into a wild end.
4 gamers are tied at fifth with 137s, led by younger Kristoffer Arevalo, veterans Keanu Jahns, Rupert Zaragosa and Fidel Concepcion. Arevalo surged with a stable 32 on the again 9 however misplaced steam late for a 69. Jahns made his transfer with a 67 constructed on an eagle and 5 birdies. Zaragosa submitted a bogey-free 68, whereas Concepcion was poised for a clear sheet in two days earlier than bogeying his final gap for a 69.
Veteran Jay Bayron additionally stored himself within the dialog with a 70 for 138, whereas Aidric Chan, recent off sparking the Philippines’ historic ADT double in Morocco, rallied with a 68 to grab solo tenth at 139.
With 36 holes remaining and simply 4 photographs separating the highest 10, the ultimate rounds at Caliraya promise to be intense and unpredictable.
Nonetheless, all eyes shall be on Corpus — undaunted, pushed, and holding agency to the idea that routines, self-discipline and self-belief are his keys to glory.
“My win in Morocco actually helped me put together for these sorts of conditions,” mentioned Corpus. “There’s at all times going to be strain, however sticking to my routines and specializing in every shot helps me handle it.”
“That’s my mindset for the final two rounds. The strain received’t go away, however staying centered will assist me take care of it,” he mentioned.
Forty-five gamers superior to the ultimate 36 holes, with 5 making the minimize at one-over 145, together with Artwork Arbole (69), Gabriel Manotoc (72), Luigi Wong (73), Gerald Rosales (73) and Korean Tae Received Ha (74).