Zaragosa seeks back-to-back wins as Lumbo eyes South Pacific redemption

DAVAO CITY — Fresh from ending a yearlong title drought, Rupert Zaragosa hopes to ride his newfound momentum to another victory, while Jeffren Lumbo seeks redemption from a string of agonizing near-misses as a talent-laden field prepares for battle in the PHP 2.5 million ICTSI South Pacific Classic, which begins Tuesday, Oct. 20, at South Pacific Golf and Leisure Estates.

The two headline a formidable field bolstered by the return of several aces, including Asian Development Tour (ADT) winners Sean Ramos, Aidric Chan and Carl Corpus.

The trio returns to the Philippine Golf Tour (PGT) following contrasting results at last Sunday’s Macau Open on the Asian Tour, but all share the goal of contending for the crown in the 72-hole championship.

With the season winding down, the penultimate leg of the 10-stage circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. takes on added significance as players seek strong finishes in the final two stops, both in Davao, and opportunities to boost their earnings before the holidays.

But few will be more determined than Lumbo, who has endured a frustrating run of near-misses.

The Sarangani native suffered back-to-back one-stroke defeats in Negros Occidental and Iloilo, then remained in contention for three days at last week’s Pueblo de Oro Championship before faltering in the final round to finish tied for sixth.

South Pacific, however, presents an opportunity for redemption.

“My game plan for South Pacific is simply to play the way I do during practice. I just want to execute everything I’ve worked on, stay focused, and enjoy the game,” said Lumbo in Filipino.

“Coming here, I’m not thinking about defending a title. I’ll just give it my absolute best and surrender the rest to God,” he added.

Lumbo enters the tournament as defending champion, having edged Russel Bautista in a dramatic five-hole playoff at South Pacific last year.

His late stumble at Pueblo de Oro kept him out of a chaotic finish in which Zaragosa emerged victorious, finally converting his steady progress and relentless work ethic into another title.

“My biggest motivation was my strong desire to win, and I’m so happy that all the everyday practice and sacrifices finally paid off,” said Zaragosa, whose Pueblo de Oro triumph snapped a yearlong title drought.

Averaging just 270 yards off the tee, Zaragosa gives up considerable distance to the tour’s power hitters.

However, he compensates with reliable wood and iron play and a steady putting touch — qualities that could again prove decisive at South Pacific.

The course presents a different test on nearly every hole, with shifting winds adding another layer of difficulty and potentially neutralizing the advantage of longer hitters.

Zaragosa will need to produce the same well-rounded performance that carried him to the Pueblo de Oro crown if he hopes to sustain his winning momentum.

Ramos, meanwhile, looms as another leading contender.

The 22-year-old captured an ADT victory in Egypt last month and followed it with a top-15 finish at the Macau Open on Sunday, giving him renewed confidence as he pursues his second PGT title.

Ramos secured his maiden professional tour victory at Lakewood in 2024 and recently earned his return to the Asian Tour for the 2027 season.

Corpus and Chan, both ADT winners, will be eager to rebound from their respective Macau Open campaigns.

Corpus finished 71st following his Asian Games stint, while Chan missed the cut.

Corpus could draw inspiration from the season’s closing stretch after claiming his first PGT victory at last year’s season-ending Valley Golf Challenge.

The returning challengers will face stiff competition from the tour’s established stars.

Reigning Order of Merit champion Angelo Que, a two-leg winner this season, leads a formidable group of seasoned campaigners that includes Keanu Jahns, Clyde Mondilla, Zanieboy Gialon and Reymon Jaraula.

Jahns, Mondilla, Gialon and Jaraula are still chasing their first leg victories of the season and will be eager to make their presence felt as the circuit approaches its conclusion.

Fidel Concepcion and Bautista are also expected to figure prominently.

Concepcion enters the tournament with an eye on defending his title at next week’s Apo Golf Classic.

Bautista, meanwhile, returns to South Pacific with unfinished business after losing to Lumbo in a dramatic five-hole playoff at the venue last year.

Although still winless this season, Bautista has recorded several strong finishes and appeared poised to contend at Pueblo de Oro.

He briefly controlled the final-round race before faltering under pressure and settling for solo fifth.

With Zaragosa seeking a second consecutive victory, Lumbo determined to turn heartbreak into triumph and a deep roster of proven winners and emerging talents ready to challenge, South Pacific promises another demanding test of nerve, precision and patience.

The tournament also offers players a crucial opportunity to build momentum ahead of the season-ending Apo Golf Classic as the race for the remaining PGT titles intensifies.