Jahns pulls ahead in ICTSI Bacolod Golf Challenge

BACOLOD – True to his vow to stay in the moment, Keanu Jahns played with laser focus and quiet confidence as he fired a second straight 65 to take the solo lead in the ICTSI Bacolod Golf Challenge at the Bacolod Golf and Country Club on Wednesday.

Fresh from his victory at Caliraya Springs, where he outdueled Angelo Que in a final-round showdown, Jahns showed his rising stature on the Philippine Golf Tour with an early surge on Moving Day.

He birdied four of the first six holes and added two more on the back nine to offset a lone bogey.

His second consecutive five-under card, following an opening-round 67, gave him a 54-hole aggregate of 13-under 197, two shots ahead of Fidel Concepcion.

Concepcion, a consistent contender in recent events, matched Jahns’ 65 to secure solo second at 199.

Overnight co-leader Tae Won Ha, who shot an eagle-fueled 64 in the second round, cooled off with a 69.

Ha birdied two of his last four holes to salvage his round but slipped to third at 201, four shots back.

Aidric Chan briefly challenged Jahns with a front-nine 32, capped by a pitch-in eagle on the par-4 ninth, but faltered with a triple bogey on the 13th.

He recovered with another eagle on the par-5 15th but closed with a bogey on the 18th for a 69, dropping to solo fourth at 202.

Russell Bautista climbed into a tie for second with a strong start but settled for a 66 after a bogey on the last hole.

He joined defending champion Reymon Jaraula at 203, with Jaraula carding a 67.

Amateur Bobe Salahog stayed in contention with a second 66 in three days to share seventh at 204 with two-leg winner Angelo Que, who posted a 67.

Tony Lascuña shot a 68 to tie for ninth at 205 with Carl Corpus, who finished with a 69.

Jahns credited his putting for the hot streak.

“I putted very well – that was the main difference compared to my first two rounds,” he said. “I read the greens really well, so I was able to sink a lot of putts.”

He admitted struggling with his drives on the back nine but said he kept his round together with scrambling pars.

“Playing tennis helps take my mind off golf,” said Jahns, who sometimes partners with Concepcion on the court. “Sometimes, golf can really mess with your head.”

Concepcion welcomed the challenge.

“It’s going to be pretty tough to beat Keanu, but I’ll focus on my own game and see what happens,” he said.

“No one really knows how things will turn out, but I’ll give it my best – try to hit as many fairways as I can, which is crucial here, and land on as many greens as possible,” Concepcion added.

Jahns built his lead with three birdies in the first four holes and never looked back, protecting his cushion with aggressive shot-making and steady course management.

Now one round away from a second straight crown, Jahns could match Que’s early-season feat of back-to-back wins.

Since his breakthrough at Forest Hills last year, after a decade of near-misses, Jahns has transformed into a player with a stronger long game, a sharper short game, and a deeper confidence.

If he maintains his rhythm in the final round, Jahns could cement his place among the tour’s elite and prove that his Caliraya win was not a one-time spark but the start of a new chapter.