PGT/LPGT FOREST HILLS CLASSIC: Avaricio, Jaraula Lead Forest Hills Classic with Hot Rounds

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ANTIPOLO – Chanelle Avaricio and Reymon Jaraula delivered sizzling second-round performances to take control of their respective divisions at the ICTSI Forest Hills Classic, putting an end to recent slumps and reigniting their title bids on Wednesday.

Avaricio fired a flawless five-under-par 66 to seize a three-stroke lead over Mafy Singson in the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour leg, while Jaraula turned in a clinical 66 of his own to edge past Guido van der Valk and top the men’s leaderboard by one shot.

“I hit more fairways and I putted pretty good,” said Avaricio, who drilled two long-range birdie putts and carded birdies on Nos. 10, 12, 16, 1, 3, and 9 for a 137 total at the Nicklaus course.

The 2022 multi-title holder has yet to win since returning from a stint in the U.S. but said she’s not pressuring herself.

“No expectations, but I’ll do my best and hopefully I’ll play well,” she added.

Singson stayed in the hunt with a second-round 69 for a 140 aggregate, briefly catching fire with three birdies from Nos. 8 to 13 before cooling off late in the round.

“I was a little more aggressive and more birdies fell today,” said the Eagle Ridge leg winner, who remains within striking distance heading into the final round.

First-round leader Kristine Fleetwood faltered with a 74 and dropped into a tie for third at 144 with Sarah Ababa and Tiffany Lee, who both shot 71s, while Mikha Fortuna (72) and Kayla Nocum (77) trailed at 147.

In the men’s side, Jaraula’s pinpoint iron play helped him storm ahead at eight-under 134, a welcome return to form following a slow start to the season.

“My irons were solid, halos lahat ng approach shots ko dikit (almost all of my approach shots were close),” said Jaraula, who birdied five of his last 10 holes.

The former Bacolod leg champion had struggled earlier in the year but now finds himself leading a field that includes some of the circuit’s fiercest contenders.

Van der Valk, who briefly took the lead with a birdie on No. 3, settled for a 69 and dropped one back at 135 after losing ground late in the round.

“Any tournament you win builds confidence for the rest of the season,” said van der Valk. “I’ll just go shot-by-shot and stay in the moment.”

Keanu Jahns electrified the crowd with a 40-foot eagle on No. 16 but undid his charge with a double bogey on the 18th and another dropped shot on No. 8 to finish at 136, two strokes behind the leader.

Jeffren Lumbo slid to joint fourth at 138 after a 71, while overnight leader Justin Quiban plummeted down the board with a 74, closing the day tied at 139 with Tom Marcelo (73).

The P2.5 million tournament, organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc., now heads into its decisive stretch with tighter pairings and mounting pressure under challenging course conditions.

“Just stick to my game plan and manage the course better,” said Jahns, the defending champion, remaining hopeful despite the late-round slip.

Only 46 players survived the cut set at 149, including veterans Tony Lascuña (73), Jonas Magcalayo (74), and Gab Manotoc (76), while big names like Jhonnel Ababa, Ira Alido, and Kristoffer Arevalo failed to advance.

With form peaking and the field narrowing, all eyes turn to Thursday’s final round, where Avaricio and Jaraula now carry the weight of expectation and opportunity.