CAVINTI, Laguna. — Carl Corpus upstaged veteran Angelo Que in their much-anticipated showdown – albeit in separate flights – at the ICTSI Caliraya Springs Championship Wednesday, showing admirable resolve and composure in the closing stretch to shoot a 69 and wrest solo control in the race for the Philippine Golf Tour crown here.
Steadying himself after a roller-coaster front nine, Corpus toughened up when it mattered most. He fired a clutch two-birdie finish in his last nine holes for a gutsy 35-34 under darkening skies, edging past Que and the rest of the field with a nine-under 135 total.
The young gun’s gritty stand mirrored the poise and maturity of a seasoned pro, further validating his breakout triumph on the Asian Development Tour in Morocco last June.
Though far from flawless, Corpus’ ability to grind, stay in the moment, and trust his process has moved him closer to a maiden PGT victory.
“I struck the ball better yesterday (Tuesday),” said Corpus, whose impressive opening 66 earned him a share of the Day 1 lead with Que. “I prepared and executed the same way today, but I had a few errant shots and less solid executions.”
Still, Corpus found a way to hang tough. He birdied three holes, but two bogeys on the front nine stalled his momentum. Undeterred, he reminded himself to dig deep in the back nine.
“I told myself not to dwell on mistakes and to focus on what I could still do right. I just needed to make a strong back-nine charge. I was able to make more putts and finish strong,” said Corpus, who birdied Nos. 12 and 15 to close with a solid 34.
As Corpus firmed up his title bid, Que faltered in the end. A mis-hit drive and an overshot approach on the 18th led to a bogey and a second-round 70, pushing the seasoned campaigner down to joint second at 136.
“I hit it better today than yesterday but putted worse,” rued Que. “I know I still shot two-under but it could’ve easily gone very low. I just missed a lot of putts.”
The three-time Asian Tour champion, however, remained upbeat: “But it is what it is. Hopefully I can sort out the putting tomorrow.”
Tied with Que are Jhonnel Ababa and Korean Ji Sung Cheon, who both delivered strong rounds to get into the title mix. Ababa, a former Order of Merit winner, rebounded from an early slip to card an eagle-spiked 67. He rediscovered his putting touch and knocked in birdies on Nos. 6, 10, 15 and 18.
“I struggled with my putting in the first round, but today everything clicked – driving, irons and putting,” said the Davaoeño ace, who last won at Apo Golf in a playoff over Guido van der Valk.
He also delivered a superb drive on par-5 No. 12, followed by a pinpoint 3-wood second shot from 230 yards that set up a tap-in eagle.
Cheon, just 19, flashed both precision and power in a superb 66 anchored on an eagle, also on the 12th, where he crushed a hybrid second shot from 228 yards and rolled in a monster 35-foot putt. He offset a three-putt bogey on No. 5 with five birdies and flawless play the rest of the way.
“I feel more comfortable now on this course,” said Cheon, whose familiarity has translated into better control and shot selection. “I hit 15 greens and saved par on those I missed. I just have to stay focused and commit to every shot.”
But even with Corpus ahead, and Que, Ababa and Cheon breathing down his neck, the tournament is far from a done deal.
A slew of contenders lurk just one or two shots back – ready to pounce on any slip-ups and turn the P2.5 million championship organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. into a wild finish.
Four players are tied at fifth with 137s, led by young Kristoffer Arevalo, veterans Keanu Jahns, Rupert Zaragosa and Fidel Concepcion. Arevalo surged with a solid 32 on the back nine but lost steam late for a 69. Jahns made his move with a 67 built on an eagle and five birdies. Zaragosa submitted a bogey-free 68, while Concepcion was poised for a clean sheet in two days before bogeying his last hole for a 69.
Veteran Jay Bayron also kept himself in the conversation with a 70 for 138, while Aidric Chan, fresh off sparking the Philippines’ historic ADT double in Morocco, rallied with a 68 to seize solo 10th at 139.
With 36 holes remaining and just four shots separating the top 10, the final rounds at Caliraya promise to be intense and unpredictable.
Still, all eyes will be on Corpus – undaunted, driven, and holding firm to the belief that routines, discipline and self-belief are his keys to glory.
“My win in Morocco really helped me prepare for these kinds of situations,” said Corpus. “There’s always going to be pressure, but sticking to my routines and focusing on each shot helps me manage it.”
“That’s my mindset for the last two rounds. The pressure won’t go away, but staying focused will help me deal with it,” he said.
Forty players advanced to the final 36 holes, with 11 making the cut at even-par 144. Among them were Sean Ramos (67), Ira Alido (70), Tony Lascuña (71) and Guido van der Valk (72),
