Jonel Ababa celebrates after knocking down a 16-foot birdie putt. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Jonel Ababa knows that he is playing the best golf of his life, and at 39 years old, believes that he is nearing his last shot at international fame and fortune.
That’s why he worked doggedly hard to salvage a playoff victory over Dutchman Guido van der Valk on Friday in the ICTSI Apo Golf Classic, when he drained a 16-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole to get the first of a targeted “3-4 wins” this season and have a shot at playing on the Asian Tour again.
“I really wanted this, because I set a goal for myself this season,” Ababa told the Inquirer in Filipino after tallying 293 over the tree-lined layout where he learned to play the game as a caddy. “I really want to get out there (Asian Tour) again because I know that I am not getting any younger.
“And this is possibly the best form that I have in recent years.”
A son of a pro who did all kinds of menial jobs as a kid just to be able to play at Apo Golf, Ababa had a two-year stint on the Asian Tour from 2010. He lost his card for not being “consistent and experienced” enough.
“I learned a lot in those years,” he continued. “I know I am ready this time; that’s why, because of the lack of sponsors, I am targeting several wins to make this a reality.”
Ababa wants to go through Qualifying School next year, where he will spend a princely sum that will start with a P100,000 entry fee. His P450,000 prize for nipping Van der Valk certainly has his season starting on the right foot.
“It will be an expensive endeavor. But I will be doing it for my family,” he said. “I need all the (prize) money I can make this year. So 3-4 wins will certainly help my cause.”
Jay Bayron and Antonio Lascuña, also proud sons of Apo Golf, missed making the playoffs by a shot after efforts of 74 and 73, respectively, even as Van der Valk closed out with a 73 and settled for P295,000.
Third round leader Kristoffer Arevalo ballooned to an 81 and wound up tied for 13th spot, six shots off Ababa. INQ