Jahns defeats Que to win ICTSI Caliraya championship

CAVINTI, Laguna – In a mano-a-mano showdown between friends on and off the course, Keanu Jahns kept his punches rolling from start to finish, flooring Angelo Que with a blazing final-round charge to clinch the fiercely contested ICTSI Caliraya Springs Championship with a blistering 64 on Friday.

Despite the lopsided four-stroke win result, it was a finale that seemed to beg for extra holes—not out of necessity, but simply to savor more of the thrilling shot-making and putting brilliance both players displayed under calm skies at the Lakeside course of Caliraya Springs Golf Club.

Jahns took control from the opening tee, capitalizing on his length to set up precise wedge approaches and relying on a steady putter to do the rest. The 29-year-old Fil-German star carded a closing eight-under card, powered by a scorching five-birdie stretch from No. 5 that would have shaken off any challenger.

But it was his composure down the stretch—four birdies over the last seven holes under intense pressure from Que, who had dominated the season’s early legs—that turned a tightly anticipated showdown into a runaway win.

Jahns flashed the full range of his arsenal—power, consistency, precision, and poise—qualities that set him apart from his peers.

At least, in this PHP2.5 million championship.

Two-up with two to play, Jahns birdied the 17th while Que faltered with a bogey from the bunker, sealing the contest with a commanding swing.

“I just stayed composed and kept pace with Angelo because I knew someone was bound to shoot another low score today. We were battling it out up until No. 15—it was a great match,” said Jahns, after capping off a brilliant performance with a 72-hole total of 22-under 266, clinching a decisive four-stroke win over the Tour’s hottest player.

Reflecting on the intense duel with Que, Jahns, who banked PHP440,000, said: “It was fun. I enjoy these kinds of battles. They test your experience and character, and I’m proud I handled the pressure well.”

With the outcome all but sealed, the walk up the 18th became a victory march for Jahns, who had been building back momentum on the Philippine Golf Tour with a tie for sixth at Pradera Verde, a share of 17th at Eagle Ridge, and a joint runner-up showing at Forest Hills.

Que, ever the fighter, matched fire with fire for much of the round, mounting birdie surges to stay close, though bogeys and missed opportunities crept in. Just one back entering the final round, he matched Jahns’ frontside 32 with a five-birdie, one-bogey card, including back-to-back feats on Nos. 5 and 7.

But as Jahns shifted into overdrive, Que couldn’t keep pace, settling for a two-birdie, one-bogey back nine. He signed off with a second straight 67 for a 270 total, good for runner-up honors and PHP287,500.

Rupert Zaragosa rallied late with a four-birdie blitz from No. 12 to shoot a 68 and snare solo third at 274, earning PHP160,000.

Fidel Concepcion, who began the day just two shots back and had only two bogeys across 54 holes, faltered in the final round. His front-nine bogey-birdie split left him six back at the turn. Though he carded three birdies against a bogey at the back, a costly double bogey on the last hole dropped him to fourth at 276, worth PHP127,500.

Justin Quiban battled back with a 67 while Carl Corpus shot a 70 as they shared fifth place at 278, splitting the combined PHP183,500 prize.

Sean Ramos backed up a solid third-round 67 with a bogey-free 68 to finish tied for seventh at 279 with Jhonnel Ababa (72), Aidric Chan (73), and Collin Wheeler (73).

But it was Jahns who ultimately owned the day and claimed the spotlight.

Despite a fast start featuring five birdies, he remained grounded and focused.

“I didn’t try to do anything special,” he said. “I just stuck to my routine and committed to every shot. One shot at a time—that’s always the goal.”

It wasn’t until the 17th, he admitted, that the title finally felt secure.

“After I birdied No. 15 to go two up, I felt more confident,” said Jahns. “On 16, we both had to grind for par. Then on 17, Angelo hit the bunker and made bogey. I made birdie—that was the turning point.”

That decisive two-shot swing turned a tense duel into a coronation.

Jahns tried to break away earlier with a birdie on 10, but Que countered on 11. Both birdied the par-5 12th, setting up a nail-biting finish.

Que, a three-time Asian Tour winner, kept pressing with calculated aggression. But Jahns stayed sharp, delivering clutch tee shots and nerveless birdie conversions.

When the final putt dropped, Jahns had not only secured his second career victory—but also emerged triumphant from one of the most compelling head-to-head battles in recent PGT memory.

Asked about the key to his breakthrough, he said: “It’s about having no expectations. Just sticking to my process, staying present, and focusing on execution.”

On what the win meant to his game, Jahns added: “It’s a great confidence boost. My game is heading in the right direction. I made mistakes earlier this week, and I know exactly what to work on. I’ll keep grinding and keep getting better.”