Lumbo fires 62, grabs ICTSI Iloilo lead

ILOILO — After a chaotic battle for control and a fierce test under changing weather conditions, emerging Sarangani golfer Jeffren Lumbo seized command as the third round of the ICTSI Iloilo Golf Challenge produced a crowded chase at the Iloilo Golf and Country Club.

Steady early morning rain dampened the fairways and forced players to adjust their touch and strategy before brief sunshine brought a surge of humidity and dark, overcast skies returned later in the round.

The lead changed hands repeatedly after the last group teed off, with four players quickly catching halfway solo leader Miki Ryoma before Lumbo took control late behind what he described as a “solid” iron game.

“My irons just really clicked. It was solid,” said the 30-year-old Lumbo in Filipino, praising a near-impeccable iron game that set up nine birdies from manageable distances.

“I struggled during the first two days, but everything worked for me today.”

Lumbo fired an 8-under 62 for a 10-under 200 aggregate, building a three-stroke lead over Jhonnel Ababa and Francis Morilla.

Ababa surged early into a share of the lead, fell back midway through the round and fought his way into contention again with late birdies for a second straight 68 and a 203 total.

Morilla matched Ababa at 203 after birdieing three of the first seven holes and navigating a roller-coaster finish of three birdies and two bogeys for a 66.

The performance put Morilla in title contention for the first time in 12 years on the Philippine Golf Tour.

“My recovery shots were good,” said Morilla, who sank six birdies from inside eight feet to offset two bogeys as the overcast skies offered some relief from the sweltering heat of the first two rounds.

Three strokes back and set to play in the final group for the first time, Morilla remained confident heading into the final round.

“With how I’m driving and putting right now, I think I have a real chance. I just hope the putting stays hot,” said Morilla, 32, who narrowly missed grabbing solo second after a bogey on the final hole.

Despite the crowded leaderboard, Lumbo dominated the back nine as he became increasingly aggressive down the stretch and birdied five of the last six holes on the demanding backside of Iloilo Golf and Country Club.

Ababa, Rupert Zaragosa and Reymon Jaraula had joined Ryoma in the lead after only four holes as the top spot changed hands throughout the round.

Lumbo, playing in the fourth-to-last group, began his decisive surge with a 6-foot birdie putt on No. 11.

He then rattled off three consecutive birdies starting at No. 13, missed a birdie putt on No. 16 and closed with back-to-back birdies on Nos. 17 and 18.

“The course condition is great today, but my irons were even better,” said Lumbo, who made his breakthrough last year in a dramatic five-hole playoff against Russell Bautista at South Pacific.

“My driving was steady, which is crucial to scoring on this course.”

Lumbo entered the Iloilo leg coming off a runner-up finish to Art Arbole in Negros Occidental and ranked third on the 2026 PGT Order of Merit after the Negros Occidental Classic with PHP 760,041.67 in earnings.

“My driving and putting both improved, but especially my irons,” added Lumbo.

“Everything was so good, that’s why I managed to score an 8-under today.”

Lumbo’s 62 did not enter the course record books because the round was played under preferred lies.

Jaraula carded a third consecutive 68 to share fourth place at 204 with Ryoma.