Arbole’s No. 15 fightback puts PGT win within reach

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL — Art Arbole absorbed Jhonnel Ababa’s early charge, survived a costly back-to-back bogey stretch, and produced the biggest swing of the day on No. 15 to regain the lead and move within 18 holes of his first Philippine Golf Tour victory.

Arbole fired a gritty 68 for a 10-under 200 total Wednesday, rebounding from bogeys on Nos. 12 and 13 with a clutch birdie on No. 15, where Ababa stumbled to a bogey after struggling with his approach.

The two-shot swing turned Arbole’s one-stroke deficit into a one-shot lead, restoring his momentum in the ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic at the scorching Marapara course.

“Medyo pressured talaga kasi first time kong mag-lead,” said Arbole. “Pero focus lang talaga sa laro. Kahit nag-bogey sa Nos. 12 and 13, sinunod ko lang ang game plan ko,” said Arbole, heaving a sigh of relief after surviving the toughest stretch of his round.

The 35-year-old had been virtually flawless for 38 holes, going bogey-free from the back nine of the opening round through No. 11 of the third round while collecting eight birdies.

That run ended abruptly on Nos. 12 and 13.

Arbole hooked his drive into the water hazard on the par-4 12th before missing a 10-foot par putt from the bunker on the next hole.

Instead of allowing the mistakes to derail his round, Arbole accepted the damage and moved on.

“Good bogeys na rin,” he said.

No. 15 then became the turning point of the round.

Arbole executed the shots he needed and converted his birdie chance.

“Good tee shot, good second shot, tapos good putt. Lucky birdie,” he said.

Ababa struggled with his approach on the same hole and needed extra work around the green before settling for bogey.

The sequence produced a two-shot swing, with Arbole going from one stroke behind with four holes remaining to one ahead.

Arbole made pars on the final three holes to preserve the lead despite giving himself birdie opportunities from inside 6 feet on each hole.

He had no regrets about the missed chances.

“Enjoy lang. Shot-by-shot lang ang atake,” said Arbole, who knows another solid round could finally deliver the breakthrough he has chased since turning professional in 2012.

Arbole made the cut in his first professional tournament at Splendido Taal in 2012 but finished last.

Fourteen years later, he is 18 holes away from his first PGT title and a possible early birthday present ahead of his 36th birthday on Sept. 29.

His one-stroke advantage, however, leaves little room for error.

Ababa remained firmly in contention at 9-under 201 after matching Arbole’s 68, setting up a final-round duel for the PHP 448,750 winner’s purse in the PHP 2.5 million championship organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.

The title would carry added significance for both players.

Arbole is chasing the breakthrough that has eluded him throughout his professional career, while Ababa is seeking to end a two-year title drought.

“Kailangan sa back nine maganda talaga ang driving para maka-score. Yun ang importante,” said Ababa, who finally avoided trouble on the par-5 18th with a par.

Ababa played the back nine in 1-over 36, including the costly bogey on No. 15 that erased the advantage he had built with an impressive front-nine 32.

Still, he remained upbeat about his chances.

“Maganda ang laro ko ngayon, especially sa irons at putting,” he said.

Ababa was also dealing with a cough and cold brought on by the erratic weather, prompting him to skip his usual post-round range and putting session and head home to rest.

“Siguro kailangan ko talaga ng pahinga. Pahinga lang muna. Baka swertehin bukas,” he said.

With only one stroke separating Arbole and Ababa, every drive, approach, and putt could prove decisive in the final round on a Marapara layout where fortunes can change quickly.

Jeffren Lumbo remained third at 6-under 204 after a 69, four strokes off the lead but still within striking distance.

Defending back-to-back champion Rupert Zaragosa carded a 67 to tie Zanieboy Gialon, who fired the day’s best round of 65, at 205.

Clyde Mondilla and Randy Garalde matched 69s to share sixth at 207.

Aidric Chan shot a 67 to join Josh Jorge, who carded a 70, and Guido van der Valk, who slipped to a 73, at 208.

Angelo Que, the recent Summit Point leg winner and reigning Order of Merit champion, faltered with a double bogey on No. 7 and struggled to recover on the back nine.

Que closed with two bogeys against one birdie for a 71, leaving him tied for 21st at 213, 13 strokes behind Arbole.

With the championship set for its final 18 holes, the spotlight shifts to Arbole and Ababa, with Arbole carrying a one-shot lead and the weight of a 14-year pursuit of his first PGT victory.