BUKIDNON – A confident Rupert Zaragosa surged to the top with a sizzling 64 while homegrown contenders found their groove halfway through ICTSI Del Monte Championship on Wednesday, Oct. 15, at the Del Monte Golf Club here.
Zaragosa’s brilliance gave him a two-shot lead at 12-under 132 in the P3.5 million sixth leg of the Philippine Golf Tour , boosting his to follow up a dominant win in Negros Occidental last month.
He shrugged off a birdie-bogey start with four birdies in seven holes at the back, then stayed sharp at the front, birdieing Nos. 2, 6, 8 and 9.
Still, Zaragosa, whose eight-under card matched the course record set by Clyde Mondilla during his 2023 title win, isn’t looking too far ahead.
“Nasa likod ko si kuya Reymon, I’m sure kabisado niya ang course,” he said of local ace Reymon Jaraula. “Pero hindi ko na lang iintindihin ang laro ng iba. I will just focus on my own for the next two days.”
Jaraula rediscovered his putting stroke and fired a flawless 66, climbing to solo second at 10-under 134. Right behind him is Michael Bibat, who slipped from the lead with a 71 but birdied his final hole to tie Arnold Villacencio at 136.
A surprise winner of the Match Play Finals at The Country Club last year, Villacencio turned in a 69.
Mondilla, the former Philippine Open titlist, also finally found his rhythm with the irons, producing a six-under round that included a clutch eagle-3 on the par-5 18th.
After a 320-yard blast off the 18th tee, Mondilla struck a 5-iron to within three feet and drained the eagle putt to close at 137, catching Jay Bayron (69), Elee Bisera (71), Yudai Nakakuki (68), Kuresh Samanodi (69), and two-leg winner Keanu Jahns (69) at fifth.
Russell Bautista also made waves with a 66, matching the 138 total of Tony Lascuña (68) and Korean contenders Taewon Ha and Chon Koo Kang, who carded 71s.
With just six strokes separating the Top 14, expect fireworks in the third round as contenders jostle for position heading into Friday’s finale.
Forty-three players made the cut set at 145, including amateur standout Ralph Batican (72-143), as well as seasoned names like Art Arbole (72), Tae Soo Kim (72), Elmer Salvador (69) and Del Monte legend Frankie Miñoza, who faltered with a 76 after a 69.
With Zaragosa in the lead but proven winners like Jaraula, Mondilla and Bibat circling, the final 36 holes promise high drama, sharp shotmaking – and perhaps, another local triumph.
