^

Sports

Ababa leads by 2 with bogey-free 66

The Philippine Star
Ababa leads by 2  with bogey-free 66
Jhonnel Ababa

DANAO City, Cebu  , Philippines  —  Jhonnel Ababa, denied of a shared view of the top with a late mishap Wednesday, rebounded with a strong start yesterday and sustained his charge to card a bogey-free five-under 66 and grab a two-stroke lead over Korean Kim Joo Hyung halfway through the ICTSI Club Filipino de Cebu Invitational here yesterday.

In a duel at the tight, tricky par-71 Club Filipino layout, Ababa opted for precision over power and proved rock solid from tee-to-green with crisp iron play, producing five birdies, including three in the first four holes at the back that spiked his impressive pair of 33s that put him on top of the heap with a seven-under 135.

“Some fairways were tight in the opening nine so I played conservative. One mishit is costly,” said Ababa due for a win with four top 10 finishes in the last six Philippine Golf Tour events in Mindanao and Visayas.

He actually snapped a six-month title spell with a three-stroke victory over Jobim Carlos in the PGT Asia Forest Hills leg last month but had been unsuccessful on the PGT with his third place effort at ICTSI Negros Challenge serving as his best in the season.

But with the momentum now on his side and the course seemingly all figured out, Ababa, who fumbled with a late bogey in the first round and missed joining Aussie Damien Jordan at the helm, hopes to finally nail one this week.

But a horde of aces are hot on his trail, led by the young but talented Kim, who moved in contention for a second crown with a 68 for a 137 while Jordan stayed in the hunt at 138 despite a 70.

James Ryan Lam matched Ababa’s five-under card to tie reigning Phl Masters champion Jerson Balasabas, who shot a 70, at 139 while Dino Villanueva also fired a 66 for joint sixth at 140 with Michael Bibat, who matched par 71.

But some of the pre-tournament favorites failed to gain ground halfway through the P3.5 million event put up by ICTSI, including last week’s Iloilo leg winner Carlos, who sputtered with a one-over 72 and slipped to joint 10th with Richard Sinfuego (69), Erwin Arcillas (71) and Rene Menor (71) at 142 behind joint ninth running Zanieboy Gialon (69) and Joenard Rates (70) at 141.

vuukle comment

GOLF

JHONNEL ABABA

Philstar
x
  • Latest
  • Trending
Latest
Latest
abtest
Recommended
Are you sure you want to log out?
X
Login

Philstar.com is one of the most vibrant, opinionated, discerning communities of readers on cyberspace. With your meaningful insights, help shape the stories that can shape the country. Sign up now!

Get Updated:

Signup for the News Round now

FORGOT PASSWORD?
SIGN IN
or sign in with