Jaraula sets course record, wins ICTSI Del Monte by 9

BUKIDNON — Reymon Jaraula made sure there would be no doubt about the outcome of the ICTSI Del Monte Championship on Friday.

On a course he knows like the back of his hand, the Bukidnon native delivered a record-breaking nine-under 63 to dominate the final round and seal a nine-stroke victory at Del Monte Golf Club.

He birdied the opening two holes to set the tone, and from there, Jaraula put on a clinic of precision, confidence and course management to distance himself from the field and post a tournament total of 23-under 265 — one of the lowest scores in Philippine Golf Tour history.

The exclamation point came on the par-5 18th, where Jaraula capped his bogey-free round with an eagle to smash the course record of 64 set by Clyde Mondilla in 2023 — the same year Mondilla edged him by one stroke for the title.

“Hindi ko in-expect na ganito ka-convincing,” said Jaraula, who was nearly flawless from tee to green. “Everything clicked — driving, second shots and putting. And malaking tulong talaga na familiar ako sa course. Alam ko kung saan ilalagay ang bola.”

Jaraula hit all 14 fairways, reached 16 greens in regulation, and needed just 28 putts — a stat line that reflected both local knowledge and world-class execution.

With the home crowd behind him, he birdied holes 14, 15 and 17 before the dramatic eagle on No. 18 transformed the finale into a coronation.

Overnight rival Rupert Zaragosa, who led earlier in the tournament, couldn’t keep pace and closed with a second straight one-under 71 to finish runner-up at 14-under 274.

Japan’s Atsushi Ueda fired a 68 to claim solo third at 13-under 275 — his best finish on the Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.-sanctioned tour.

Russell Bautista (69) placed fourth at 12-under 276, while Arnold Villacencio (67), Mondilla (69), and Korean Jaehyun Jung (69) shared fifth at 10-under 278.

Tony Lascuña, who started the day in solo third, faltered with a 73 to tie for eighth with Collin Wheeler (68) and Keanu Jahns (72) at 9-under 279.

But the spotlight belonged to Jaraula.

The 33-year-old homegrown talent, who splits his training between Del Monte and Pueblo de Oro, secured his fourth career title and avenged his narrow loss last year.

“Masarap manalo kung saan ka nagsimula,” he said. “Ito na siguro ang best win ko.”

Jaraula entered the final round with a one-shot lead over Zaragosa and knew he needed to make an early move.

He birdied three of his first six holes and extended his lead to four at the turn, with another birdie on the par-5 ninth putting the result nearly out of reach.

“I told myself I couldn’t be reckless,” he said, recalling how Mondilla chased him down in 2023. “Even with the lead, I had to stay focused.”

He stayed sharp on the back nine, then shifted to attack mode late, especially on No. 18, where he reached the green in two and stuck his second shot five feet from the pin.

He calmly holed the eagle putt to cap off a historic round.

For his victory, Jaraula earned PHP 623,000 from the PHP 3.5 million purse and a much-needed confidence boost ahead of the tour’s upcoming legs in Davao.

He first thanked God, then acknowledged his training grounds — Del Monte Golf Club and Pueblo de Oro — as well as supporters Golf Depot and Mizuno.

“Magandang panalo ito. Sana magtuloy-tuloy sa Davao,” said Jaraula, looking ahead to the Apo and South Pacific legs, where a tough field of Davaoeño contenders awaits.

But for now, this week in Bukidnon belonged to him — and he owned it with a performance that will be etched in Del Monte history.