BACOLOD – Korean Tae Won Ha and Keanu Jahns staged a dramatic late charge under the scorching Bacolod sun to fire 64 and 65, respectively, and seize joint leadership from a faltering Aidric Chan in a thrilling second round of the ICTSI Bacolod Golf Challenge here on Wednesday.
The players battled not just the demanding par-70 Bacolod Golf and Country Club layout but also the punishing heat, which replaced days of rainfall and rendered the course both softer and longer. The shift in weather demanded a complete recalibration in course management, favoring those who could adapt with precision and patience.
The Korean went bogey-free, birdieing Nos. 4, 8 and 9 inside 15 feet, then sticking a 7-iron from 175 yards to three feet on the par-5 15th for eagle.
He drained another long birdie putt on the next before parring his way in for a flawless six-under card.
Jahns, meanwhile, produced six birdies to offset three bogeys, spiking his 65 with an eagle on No. 15 following a solid drive and a brilliant 8-iron from 165 yards to 24 feet, which he drained with confidence.
Chan, who had led for most of the day after dispatching co-leader Michael Bibat early in their backside start, looked poised to retain the top spot until a disastrous double-bogey on the par-4 7th. Despite earlier birdies on Nos. 2, 4 and 6, the costly miscue dropped him to solo second at 133 after a 69 – one shot off the lead.
Fidel Concepcion re-entered the title picture with a 66 to move to solo fourth at 134, just two strokes behind. Marvin Dumandan and Josh Jorge stayed in the hunt at 135 after 66 and 67, respectively, while Carl Corpus and defending champion Reymon Jaraula also fired identical 65s to reach 136, joining Ryan Monsalve (69) at seventh.
Two-leg winner Angelo Que and Tony Lascuña also surged with 66 and 67, respectively, matching the 137 totals of Russell Bautista (66), Gerald Rosales (69), and Jhonnel Ababa (69).
Bibat fumbled with a 76 after a 64 and tumbled to joint 25th, his round marred by a double bogey and five bogeys against one birdie.
Forty-four players advanced past the cut line at 143, including amateurs Bobe Salahog (72-138) and Julius Susarno (71-143).
Also making the weekend rounds at three-over total were Forest Hills winner Guido van der Valk (71), Kristoffer Arevalo (68), Gabriel Manotoc (71), Pepito Rico (71), Joeleo Torrecampo (72), Kuresh Samanodi (74), Arnold Villacencio (74), and John Michael Uy (76).
