BUKIDNON – If Reymon Jaraula had considered settling the matter in the most decisive way, he made little effort to conceal it on Friday.
On a course he’s extremely familiar with, the homegrown ace delivered a stunning final-round masterpiece – a new course record nine-under 63 – to blow the field away and clinch a dominant nine-stroke victory in the ICTSI Del Monte Championship at Del Monte Golf Club here.
From the moment he birdied the first two holes, it was clear Jaraula wasn’t just out to win – he was out to make a statement. What followed was a relentless display of precision and confidence as he distanced himself from the field, particularly overnight rival Rupert Zaragosa, and cruised to the title with a tournament total of 23-under 265 – one of the lowest in Philippine Golf Tour history.
The exclamation point came on the par-5 18th, where Jaraula capped his record-setting, bogey-free round with an eagle, cementing both the victory and his place in Del Monte lore. His 63 shattered the previous course record of 64, held by Clyde Mondilla since 2023 – the same year Mondilla edged Jaraula by one for the crown.
“Hindi ko in-expect na ganito ka-convincing,” said Jaraula, who was near-flawless from tee to green. “Everything clicked – driving, second shots and putting. And malaking tulong talaga na familiar ako sa course. Alam ko kung saan ilalagay ang bola.”
Indeed, Jaraula’s performance was a lesson in local knowledge and elite execution. He hit all 14 fairways, found 16 greens in regulation, and needed just 28 putts. With the home crowd cheering him on, he turned the final day into a coronation, birdieing Nos. 14, 15 and 17 before that dramatic eagle finish.
Zaragosa, who had led midway through the tournament, simply couldn’t keep up. He finished with a second straight 71 for a distant runner-up at 274, while Japan’s Atsushi Ueda carded a 68 to place third at 275 – his best career finish on the Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.-organized circuit.
Russell Bautista (69) secured solo fourth at 276, while Arnold Villacencio (67), Mondilla (69), and Korean Jaehyun Jung (69) tied for fifth at 278. Tony Lascuña, who started the day in solo third, stumbled with a 73 to join Collin Wheeler (68) and Keanu Jahns (72) at joint eighth on 279.
But the day – and the tournament – belonged entirely to Jaraula.
The 33-year-old Bukidnon native, who trains at both Del Monte and Pueblo de Oro, not only claimed his fourth career title but also erased the sting of his 2023 runner-up finish. And doing it on his home course, in front of an appreciative local crowd, made it all the more meaningful.
“Masarap manalo kung saan ka nagsimula,” he said. “Ito na siguro ang best win ko.”
After seizing a one-shot lead over Zaragosa in Thursday’s Moving Day, Jaraula knew he had to strike early. He birdied three of his first six holes, extending his lead to four by the turn. A birdie on the par-5 No. 9 stretched the gap further, effectively putting the result beyond doubt.
“I told myself I couldn’t be reckless,” he said, recalling how Mondilla chased him down two years ago. “Even with the lead, I had to stay focused.”
He did exactly that, calmly navigating the back nine before shifting to attack mode with the finish line in sight. With a comfortable cushion on No. 18, Jaraula went for the green in two – and landed a majestic second shot just five feet from the pin. He drained the eagle putt to complete his historic round.
For his efforts, Jaraula pocketed P623,000 from the P3.5 million purse and regained a surge of confidence heading into the next two PGT legs in Davao.
For his latest feat, he first thanked God, followed by his supporters, including Del Monte Golf Club and Pueblo de Oro, where he regularly trains – as well as Golf Depot and Mizuno.
“Magandang panalo ito. Sana magtuloy-tuloy sa Davao,” he said, eager to carry the momentum into the upcoming Apo and South Pacific stops, where he will face stiff opposition from a hungry pool of Davaoeño contenders.
Still, this week in Bukidnon was his moment – and he owned it with a performance that will be remembered for years to come.
