Lam, Concepcion grind to the top as Apo keeps field on edge

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DAVAO CITY – On a day marked by shifting fortunes and hard-earned gains, James Ryan Lam and Fidel Concepcion carved out a pair of 70s to seize the joint lead midway through the PHP 3.5 million ICTSI Apo Golf Classic here on Wednesday.

Facing the punishing demands of the fabled Apo Golf and Country Club layout, Lam and Concepcion again matched outputs for the second straight day in separate flights, tallying identical 141s over 36 holes — marking a rare return to the top of the Philippine Golf Tour leaderboard for both.

Lam showed grit and poise while playing alongside veteran Elmer Salvador.

He fired three birdies against a lone bogey, nearly adding another on No. 2, before a failed up-and-down on the par-3 fourth slowed his charge.

He scrambled through the rest of the round, settling for a 36-34 card.

“It’s a day-long grind,” said Lam, visibly spent after his round. “You really need to hit it better on this course. I’m just lucky I managed to keep my score together.”

The Apo Golf course remains a brutal test, with its narrow fairways, penal roughs, and slick greens punishing even the most seasoned players.

Familiarity offers no guarantees — locals haven’t been spared from its challenges either.

Concepcion, who struggled with three costly three-putts in the opening round, avoided that pitfall this time.

“I didn’t have any three-putts today, so that’s a plus,” he said. “My birdie putts were much closer, and I even holed a long one — about 25 to 30 steps — on No. 8.”

Despite the demanding conditions, Concepcion said he has no plans to adjust his strategy.

“No changes — I’ll stick to what I’m doing now and just keep making solid shots,” he added. “This course is really tough. It can bite you hard if you find yourself in the wrong position.”

Salvador matched the leaders’ two-under card after opening with a 72, using his experience to navigate the treacherous layout.

He finished at 142, just a shot off the lead, and now stands alone in third.

“Nakuha ko na lang sa experience kaya naka-70,” said Salvador. “Masama driving ko, pero na-inspire ako kay Lam — ang lakas pumalo.”

Fellow local bets Elee Bisera, Zanieboy Gialon, and Tony Lascuña, along with Nilo Salahog and Guido van der Valk, bunched at joint fourth with 143s — just two strokes behind the leaders.

Lascuña, seeking to end a lengthy title drought, produced a bogey-free 70 to stay within striking distance.

“Medyo nag-click lahat pero madami pa ring missed chances,” he said.

Bisera dazzled with back-to-back birdies on Nos. 13 and 14, but faltered with bogeys on the front nine, closing with a 72.

Gialon had a rollercoaster round — overcoming three early bogeys with four birdies across nine holes, only to bogey the ninth for an even-par finish.

Salahog and van der Valk both turned in resilient 71s to stay in the mix, showing composure on a course that continues to test every facet of a golfer’s game.

Defending champion Jhonnel Ababa, who nipped van der Valk in a playoff last year, posted a 71 to tie Korean Jaehyun Jung (70) at 145 — just four shots off the pace.

With a mere four-stroke gap separating the leaders from ninth place, and 40 players surviving the cut at eight-over 154, the stage is set for a wild and unpredictable finish.

Lam, whose last win came at Luisita in 2018, admitted the long wait for another title has reignited his hunger — but he knows rest is key.

“Nothing different,” he said of his approach. “I’m just gonna take some rest. Hopefully, I’ll wake up fresh and hit it better — which is what’s needed on this course.”

At Apo, where patience is as valuable as power, the leaderboard remains volatile.

Any lapse in focus can lead to a swift downfall.

Those securing the final slots for the last two rounds with eight-over totals included Korean Tae Won Kim (74), Michael Bibat (75), Mars Pucay (75), Tom Marcelo (76), and Dan Cruz (78).

Missing the cut were 2024 Palos Verdes leg winner Lloyd Go (79–153), rising junior star Ralph Batican (75–154), and multi-titled local ace Jay Bayron (73–155).

On a course that rewards patience as much as power, and punishes lapses in focus, the only constant is change.

And as the players gear up for the final stretch, the leaderboard is sure to see more drama unfold.