Que, Corpus fire 66s to lead ICTSI Caliraya

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Veteran Angelo Que and rookie Carl Corpus fired matching six-under 66s to seize the early lead in the ICTSI Caliraya Springs Championship after Tuesday’s opening round.

They stood two strokes ahead of a tight group composed of Jay Bayron, Jerson Balasabas, Kristoffer Arevalo, Justin Quiban, Russell Bautista and Fidel Concepcion, who each carded 68s at the Arnold Palmer-designed layout under calm but scorching conditions.

A mix of veterans and young contenders shared ninth place at 69, including Josh Jorge, Jeffren Lumbo, Rupert Zaragosa and Jhonnel Ababa, highlighting the depth of competition in the PHP2.5 million event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.

Five others — Keanu Jahns, Nilo Salahog, Dino Villanueva, amateur Jet Hernandez and Korean Ji Sung Sheon — shot 70s to stay in the early mix, keeping the leaderboard tightly packed heading into Round 2.

Que and Corpus, however, stood tallest on Day 1, showcasing contrasting styles shaped by experience and youth but driven by a shared goal — to contend.

Que, a three-time Asian Tour winner, displayed the class and control that have made him one of the most accomplished players in Philippine golf.

The 46-year-old opened with a fiery back-nine start, using pinpoint wedge play and sharp putting to rack up six birdies against two bogeys.

“My start was really good. I hit precise wedge shots, and the putts were mostly inside eight feet,” said Que, who already has wins at Pradera Verde and Eagle Ridge this season, along with a runner-up finish at Forest Hills.

Though he cooled off slightly on the front nine with two birdies and a string of pars, Que expressed satisfaction with his round.

“I didn’t actually struggle up front — I just couldn’t hit it close. But all in all, I’m happy with a six-under,” he said. “I didn’t come in with a target number. I just wanted to see how things would go.”

“I’m hitting it well, feeling healthy, and mentally, I’m ready,” he added. “I’m confident, but we’ll see. Things can still change.”

Que also acknowledged the younger generation’s edge in power and technology but continues to sharpen his game with focus and discipline.

Corpus, meanwhile, took a different path to the top.

The 23-year-old rookie, fresh from a breakthrough win on the Asian Development Tour in Morocco last June, bounced back from an early bogey on No. 10 with a blistering finish.

He birdied three of his last four holes on the back nine, then holed out an eagle on the par-4 second hole from 78 yards using a 58-degree wedge — the shot of the day.

“I knew I hit a good one. I thought it would be close, then biglang nawala ‘yung bola,” said Corpus. “It doesn’t happen often, so it was a really good feeling.”

He added three more birdies before closing with a bogey on No. 9, capping a strong round that proved his win abroad was no fluke — and that he’s ready to contend on home soil.

“The highlight of my game was definitely my putting,” he said. “I didn’t sink any long ones, but I made a lot of 15- to 18-footers. That’s huge.”

Corpus admitted to early frustrations but credited a mental reset for his recovery.

“I kind of got mad at myself during the round,” he said. “But then I asked: Why are you upset? You’re here to enjoy this. That shift in mindset helped turn things around.”

Heading into the final three rounds, Corpus said he intends to stay the course.

“I’m hitting the ball really well. Before the Valley leg got canceled, I was in great form,” he said. “Now, I’ve put myself in a really good position. I’m not changing anything. I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing and give myself the best chance.”

Whether it’s Que’s enduring brilliance or Corpus’ rising momentum, Day 1 at Caliraya Springs offered a glimpse of a potential generational showdown — and a compelling battle ahead in the Philippine Golf Tour.

Kim takes lead as Superal falters late

Korean Kim Seoyun surged ahead with a solid frontside and steady finish, holding off a rally by Sarah Ababa and capitalizing on Princess Superal’s late-round stumble to take the solo lead with a three-under 69 in the opening round of the ICTSI Caliraya Springs Championship Tuesday.

Kim anchored her round with birdies on Nos. 4 and 7, finishing with a 34-35 under hot conditions at the Lakeside course to grab early control of the PHP1 million, 54-hole championship.

Ababa came charging back on the back nine but ran out of holes and settled for a 70, while Superal, once at three under, dropped bogeys on the last two holes and slipped to a 71.

Martina Miñoza also rallied with two birdies in her last five holes at the front, while Florence Bisera bogeyed the 18th to join Superal in third.

With just two shots separating the top five, the title race shapes up to be a test of poise and finishing strength.

Chihiro Ikeda posted a solid stretch with three birdies in four holes from No. 3 but gave up a shot on the ninth for an even-par 72 and solo sixth.

Defending champion Harmie Constantino continued to struggle for consistency, mixing three birdies with four bogeys for a 73 and a share of seventh with Korea’s Eun Hua Nam.

Nam actually shared the early lead with a one-under start on the back nine but faltered coming home, including a double bogey on No. 2 for a closing 38.

Tiffany Lee, looking to regain the form that earned her a win at Splendido Taal, birdied the ninth to salvage a 74 despite earlier errors including a bogey and a double.

She remains just five shots off the pace.

Mafy Singson carded a solid 36 on the front nine but faded late, marred by a double bogey on No. 13 and two more bogeys that neutralized a lone birdie on No. 16, ending at 75.

Kim, who narrowly missed a win at Caliraya in 2023, credited offseason adjustments — particularly in her putting — for her strong start.

“I missed a nine-footer on No. 10, my first hole, and a couple more after that. I didn’t do anything special today, just played normal,” said Kim. “It’s hard to make good strokes, so I changed my putter and spent four hours a day on the practice green. I think it’s really working.”

She also credited her coach for restoring her confidence and emphasized her motivation to redeem her near miss two years ago.

“I missed winning here in 2023. That was a big feeling for me,” she said. “This time, I want to do my best. I’ll do everything I can to win.”

Ababa, one of the local tour’s most seasoned players, bounced back from a three-over card through 10 holes.

She nearly aced No. 11 and followed up with birdies on Nos. 14 to 16, closing with another on the 18th to pull within one stroke of the lead.

“That near hole-in-one really sparked my bounce back,” said the Iloilo leg winner last year. “I stayed consistent with my irons and just stuck to my game.”

Balancing coaching duties with competition, Ababa said she’s playing with a no-pressure mindset.

“I’ll just play my game and not think about the outcome,” she said.

Superal, meanwhile, looked poised to grab a share of the lead before failing to get up-and-down on No. 17 and three-putting the last.

“So far, my long game is solid,” said the former Order of Merit winner. “I just need to work on my putting.”

Determined to end her title drought, Superal went straight to the practice green after the round.

She said she’s sticking to her process-oriented approach — which includes daily training and range work with coach Bong Lopez — and has been competing on the Japan Step Up Tour to build rhythm and confidence.

“I’m not expecting anything. I’m just staying focused on my goal — prioritizing the process over the results,” she said. “I want to give my 100 percent this week.”