Reymon Jaraula stormed past his rivals with a brilliant display of skill and composure, opening with a blistering start and maintaining his nerves down the stretch to fend off Angelo Que’s late surge, securing a one-stroke victory with a closing-round 68 at the ICTSI Bacolod Golf Challenge on Friday.
This win marked Jaraula’s third title on the Philippine Golf Tour and was a testament to his mettle and ability to perform under pressure.
The final-hole drama unfolded on the 180-yard par-3 18th, where a pulled tee shot into the wind landed him 40 yards left of the green, sparking hopes of a potential playoff with Que, who finished strong with back-to-back birdies and a scorching 64.
However, the Bukidnon native showed remarkable poise, executing a masterful chip shot that sent the ball bouncing through the green and rolling to within four feet of the hole. After carefully studying the line from various angles, he confidently knocked in the par-saving putt, sealing his narrow one-shot victory over Que.
“I never doubted I could save that par. My caddie told me it was the perfect spot to make a chip shot,” Jaraula said in Filipino. He secured the victory with a total score of 16-under 264, earning P440,000.
Starting the day five shots back, Que birdied four of the last six holes to finish with a 15-under 265, earning P287,500. His rally forced Jaraula to dig deep, as any slip on the final hole could have led to a playoff. But Jaraula remained unfazed, stringing together pars from the 12th through the 17th to maintain his lead. Even when his punched 7-iron tee shot on No. 18 veered left, opening the door for Que, the 32-year-old displayed nerves of steel, calmly executing the chip and draining the decisive putt.
His composure was further tested when flightmates Hyun Ho Rho and Jhonnel Ababa positioned themselves for potential birdies on the 18th. Yet Jaraula never blinked. His ability to maintain focus and deliver in clutch moments underscored his fortitude and determination to claim victory.
Rho birdied the last hole to finish solo third with a score of 266 (P160,000).
“There was pressure on the back nine, especially after Que finished strong with two birdies. But I kept telling myself to just par the remaining holes, and that’s exactly what I did,” Jaraula added, drawing strength from his family and supporters.
(C) PGT
This victory marked only the third in Jaraula’s 11-year professional career—a surprising statistic for a player who exhibited such brilliance and potential during his amateur days. Despite his talent, it took him six years to claim his first professional title in 2019, where he bested veteran Tony Lascuña in a thrilling sudden-death victory at Pueblo de Oro.
Since then, Jaraula has faced both external competition and internal battles as he sought to develop the consistency and killer instinct necessary to compete regularly for titles. He shone again last year with a five-stroke victory at Valley, but setbacks continued to challenge him in his quest for a third win.
Entering the penultimate leg of the 10-stage Philippine Golf Tour circuit, Jaraula opened with impressive rounds of 67 and 66. A spectacular 63 in the third round propelled him to a three-stroke lead, providing a crucial cushion heading into the final day.
With this third career victory, the 32-year-old from Bukidnon has reaffirmed his place among the country’s top golfers, remaining hungry for more success as the season heads to a close in Negros Occidental next week. “I also want to experience winning back-to-back,” he said.
Despite the mounting pressure, Jaraula’s resolve never wavered. Holding a three-under card through the first nine holes, he appeared to be cruising to the title with a five-shot lead over his closest challengers.
However, a rare bogey on No. 11—his first blemish after 46 flawless holes—provided an opening for his rivals. Both Que and Clyde Mondilla seized the opportunity, staging spirited charges on the back nine that injected suspense and drama into the closing stages of the P2.5 million tournament presented by Negros Electric and Power Corp.
Earlier, Mondilla mounted an aggressive run of birdies, recording six by the 14th hole to keep himself in contention. However, missed chances on the par-5 15th and the final three holes curtailed his comeback bid, and he settled for fourth with a score of 268 after a 64.
In the end, Jaraula’s steady, controlled play and ability to close out in high-stakes moments proved insurmountable for his challengers. His combination of precision and mental toughness enabled him to overcome the late pressure and secure a hard-fought victory.
Aidric Chan rallied with a 65 to tie Ababa, who wound up with a 70, at fifth with a score of 269. Meanwhile, Forest Hills leg winner Keanu Jahns fought back with a 66 to share seventh at 270 with Kim Tae Soo, who carded a 69.
Sean Ramos, who scored a breakthrough at Lakewood, also fired a 65 for ninth place with a score of 271, while Ira Alido sizzled with a 66 to finish joint 10th at 272 alongside Ozeki Kakeru, who faltered with a 71 in the hot but windy conditions.
