ICTSI Apo Golf Classic winner Jonel Ababa. –CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
DAVAO–Jonel Ababa birdied the first hole in sudden death on Friday to clinch the ICTSI Apo Golf Classic over The Netherlands’ Guido van der Valk as the P2.5 million tournament saw an exciting end after the talented field battled for survival in the last four days.
Ababa also needed to birdie the par-15 18th to sign for a 74 and catch Van der Valk after regulation at 293, and the 39-year-old product of the Apo Golf program delivered the knockout punch on the ninth hole in the playoff after getting a read from the Dutchman’s own birdie try.
“I knew that my putt was going in after watching Guido miss his,” Ababa said in Filipino as he won P450,000 for his first win in a couple of years. “I am just blessed.
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And then he nailed the putt that mattered the most all week.
“I just had a good read,” Ababa said.
Third round leader Kristoffer Arevalo didn’t matter in the final round after shooting himself in the foot with a poor start. He carded a closing 81 for joint 13th.
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Van der Valk, meanwhile, closed out with a 73, making only one birdie in his final nine holes and failing to pick up a shot on the 18th.
Jay Bayron and Antonio Lascuna, also products of the Apo Golf program, missed the playoff by a stroke after rounds of 74 and 73, respectively.
The win also holds special significance for Ababa, who has harbored aspirations of competing internationally but faced obstacles due to lack of sponsorship.
With his triumph, Ababa has not only cemented his place among the elite in Philippine golf but has also signaled his readiness to take on the international stage starting with the Asian Tour.
Rookie pro Ryan Monsalve rallied with a 70 to snare solo fifth at 295 and pocket P107,500, while Korean Gwon Minwook and Collin Wheeler of the US shared sixth place at 296 and the combined P177,500 prize.