Corpus seizes solo lead at ICTSI Caliraya

CAVINTI, Laguna – Carl Corpus upstaged veteran Angelo Que in their much-anticipated showdown — albeit in separate flights — at the ICTSI Caliraya Springs Championship on Wednesday, showing composure down the stretch to shoot a 69 and take solo control in the Philippine Golf Tour title chase.

After a roller-coaster front nine, Corpus steadied himself and delivered a clutch two-birdie finish under darkening skies, carding a 35-34 for a nine-under 135 aggregate.

The young gun’s gritty finish mirrored the poise of a seasoned pro, further validating his breakout win on the Asian Development Tour in Morocco last June.

Though far from flawless, Corpus’ ability to grind, stay in the moment, and trust his process has moved him closer to a maiden PGT victory.

“I struck the ball better yesterday,” said Corpus, whose opening-round 66 earned him a share of the Day 1 lead with Que.

“I prepared and executed the same way today, but I had a few errant shots and less solid executions.”

Still, Corpus found a way to hang tough.

He birdied three holes, but two bogeys on the front nine stalled his momentum.

Undeterred, he reminded himself to dig deep on the back nine.

“I told myself not to dwell on mistakes and to focus on what I could still do right,” said Corpus, who birdied Nos. 12 and 15 to close with a solid 34.

“I just needed to make a strong back-nine charge. I was able to make more putts and finish strong.”

As Corpus firmed up his title bid, Que faltered late.

A mis-hit drive and an overshot approach on the 18th led to a bogey and a second-round 70, dropping the seasoned campaigner to joint second at 136.

“I hit it better today than yesterday but putted worse,” said Que.

“I know I still shot two-under, but it could’ve easily gone very low. I just missed a lot of putts.”

The three-time Asian Tour champion remained upbeat.

“But it is what it is. Hopefully I can sort out the putting tomorrow.”

Que shares second with Jhonnel Ababa and Korean Ji Sung Cheon, who both delivered strong rounds to stay in the title mix.

Ababa, a former Order of Merit winner, bounced back from an early slip to shoot an eagle-spiked 67.

He rediscovered his putting touch and knocked in birdies on Nos. 6, 10, 15 and 18.

“I struggled with my putting in the first round, but today everything clicked — driving, irons and putting,” said the Davaoeño ace, who last won at Apo Golf in a playoff over Guido van der Valk.

He also hit a superb drive on the par-5 No. 12, then followed with a pinpoint 3-wood from 230 yards to set up a tap-in eagle.

Cheon, just 19, flashed both precision and power in a superb 66 anchored on an eagle on No. 12.

He crushed a hybrid second shot from 228 yards and rolled in a 35-foot putt.

He offset a three-putt bogey on No. 5 with five birdies and flawless play the rest of the way.

“I feel more comfortable now on this course,” said Cheon, whose familiarity has improved his control and shot selection.

“I hit 15 greens and saved par on those I missed. I just have to stay focused and commit to every shot.”

Even with Corpus ahead and Que, Ababa and Cheon close behind, the tournament is far from decided.

A slew of contenders lurk just one or two shots back — ready to pounce and turn the PHP2.5 million championship organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. into a wild finish.

Four players are tied for fifth at 137 — young Kristoffer Arevalo, veterans Keanu Jahns, Rupert Zaragosa and Fidel Concepcion.

Arevalo surged with a 32 on the back nine but faded late for a 69.

Jahns climbed with a 67 powered by an eagle and five birdies.

Zaragosa posted a bogey-free 68, while Concepcion was eyeing a clean sheet across two days before bogeying his final hole for a 69.

Veteran Jay Bayron stayed in the hunt with a 70 for 138.

Aidric Chan, fresh off sparking the Philippines’ historic ADT double in Morocco, rallied with a 68 to grab solo 10th at 139.

With 36 holes remaining and just four shots separating the top 10, the final rounds at Caliraya promise intensity and unpredictability.

Still, all eyes are on Corpus — undaunted, driven and clinging to the belief that routine, discipline and self-trust are keys to glory.

“My win in Morocco really helped me prepare for these kinds of situations,” said Corpus.

“There’s always going to be pressure, but sticking to my routines and focusing on each shot helps me manage it.”

“That’s my mindset for the last two rounds. The pressure won’t go away, but staying focused will help me deal with it.”

Forty-five players advanced to the final 36 holes, with five making the cut at one-over 145 — Art Arbole (69), Gabriel Manotoc (72), Luigi Wong (73), Gerald Rosales (73) and Korean Tae Won Ha (74).