Tony Lascuña reminded everyone that experience and skill still reign supreme over sheer power, seizing control of the highly competitive ICTSI Caliraya Springs Championship field with a brilliant eight-under 64 to grab a two-stroke lead over Angelo Que and Clyde Mondilla at the start of the ₱2.5 million championship in Cavinti, Laguna on Tuesday.
With the notorious Caliraya winds taking a rare break under dark skies, the stage was set for a low-scoring day. The favorable conditions proved ideal for scoring, and Lascuña took full advantage, firing a bogey-free round that showcased the caliber of a player long regarded as one of the pillars of the Philippine Golf Tour.
A record five-time Order of Merit winner, the 55-year-old Lascuña not only defied Father Time but also delivered a performance worthy of another title run.
“I feel like young again. I hit all fairways and greens and finished with 28 putts,” said Lascuña in jest, basking in the glow of his performance, made even more impressive by the lift, clean and place rule in effect due to uneven fairway conditions caused by the summer heat.
Yielding 50–60 yards to the Tour’s biggest hitters, Lascuña relied on his trusted fairway woods and newly acquired Srixon irons to tame the course. He birdied four of the first seven holes before adding four more on the back nine.
“It’s been a long time since I shot this low. It’s exhausting, but the conditions were great,” he said, recalling his last win in adverse weather conditions at Splendido Taal in 2024.
However, Que, the reigning Order of Merit winner, and multi-titled Mondilla stayed close behind with matching 66s. Keanu Jahns also entered the mix with a 67, aiming for back-to-back victories after defeating Que by four strokes in this event last year.
The rolling Caliraya layout, known for its difficulty, turned into a scoring haven under the conditions, producing 35 under-par rounds and 11 even-par cards. This significantly raised the stakes for the top 40 and ties advancing to the final two rounds of the second leg of the 10-leg circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.
The opening 18 holes unfolded into a compelling narrative, with seasoned veterans staying within striking distance of Lascuña. It set the stage for a tight battle defined not just by power, but also by course management, decision-making, and precision putting.
“I just hope my putting stays on point through the final rounds,” said Lascuña, confident in maintaining his form but aware of the pressure from his accomplished rivals.
Que, on track to match Lascuña’s pace, stumbled with a bogey on the tricky par-4 18th. Still, he finished with a superb 66 highlighted by an eagle on No. 4 and birdies on Nos. 16 and 17.
“I didn’t make any mistakes except for the last hole, but that’s golf,” said Que, eager to stay at the top of the PGT standings for a second straight season.
“I hit a lot of fairways and greens and made many putts. Good weather always helps produce low scores,” he added, noting that while the greens were slightly faster, he expected them to get tougher over the next three days.
“I think it’s only going to get better, and hopefully, I can keep up my game,” Que added, emphasizing the need to sharpen his wedge play. “I was making more putts than usual, but my wedge game was off; there were many holes where I could have gotten closer.”
Mondilla also credited the favorable weather for his strong round, saying, “It wasn’t too hot, which helped produce good scores.” He added that being grouped with players like Que and Jahns made it feel like a championship flight right from the start.
“The challenge feels like a championship flight even on the first day. I really need to step up because the contenders are strong,” Mondilla said of a group that produced a combined 17-under total.
He birdied five of his first 12 holes before finishing with a birdie-bogey-birdie stretch for a 66. He lamented missed opportunities, saying, “There were many chances that didn’t go in.”
Jahns also eagled No. 4, racking up six birdies but stumbling with a bogey and a double bogey on the par-3 11th. Still, with a 67, the Fil-German stood just three strokes off Lascuña alongside Fidel Concepcion, Jeffren Lumbo, Dino Villanueva, and Rupert Zaragosa.
Meanwhile, Koreans Lee Song and Ryoto Furuya led the international charge with 68s, joining Russell Bautista, Gabriel Manotoc, Ivan Monsalve, and Nilo Salahog in a tie for ninth.
Sean Ramos birdied two of the last five holes to lead a tightly packed group at 69, which includes contenders Art Arbole, Jay Bayron, Michael Bibat, Aidric Chan, Jhondie Quibol, and Boni Salahog, keeping the leaderboard tightly contested.
