BACOLOD. — Korean Tae Won Ha and Keanu Jahns staged a dramatic late charge under the scorching Bacolod sun to fire 64 and 65, respectively, and seize joint leadership from a faltering Aidric Chan in a thrilling second round of the ICTSI Bacolod Golf Challenge here on Wednesday.
The players battled not just the demanding par-70 Bacolod Golf and Country Club layout but also the punishing heat, which replaced days of rainfall and rendered the course both softer and longer. The shift in weather demanded a complete recalibration in course management, favoring those who could adapt with precision and patience.
By day’s end, two unlikely leaders had emerged from vastly different paths – one seeking redemption from a string of mediocre finishes, the other aiming for back-to-back wins. Both signed for eight-under 132s, capping a gripping round marked by low scores, surprises and a pivotal swing in momentum.
Ha, the unheralded 21-year-old from Incheon, Korea, played with poise and confidence, saying he fully expected to post a low number on a course that punishes even the slightest errors. He backed up that claim by going bogey-free, birdieing Nos. 4, 8 and 9 inside 15 feet, then sticking a 7-iron from 175 yards to three feet on the par-5 15th for eagle.
He drained another long birdie putt on the next before parring his way in for a flawless six-under card.
“I expected to score this low. My game feel is the same as yesterday, but my putting and luck were better,” said Ha, who trains at Mimosa Plus and Pradera Verde.
Ha’s steady rise – after finishing tied for 51st at Pradera Verde, 36th at Eagle Ridge, and joint 18th at Caliraya Springs – finally seems to be cresting at the right moment. Intent on playing safe but sharp golf, he says he’ll stick to a conservative approach over the final two rounds.
Jahns, meanwhile, proved once more that he can thrive under any condition – long and open or tight and tricky like Binitin. The 29-year-old produced six birdies to offset three bogeys, spiking his 65 with an eagle on No. 15 following a solid drive and a brilliant 8-iron from 165 yards to 24 feet, which he drained with confidence.
“My driving was a bit better today, which helped a lot. I found more fairways and holed a lot of longer putts,” said Jahns, who’s 36 holes away from adding another Philippine Golf Tour title to his resume. “It would be nice to score back-to-back wins, but same game plan – stay in the present.”
Chan, who had led for most of the day after dispatching co-leader Michael Bibat early in their backside start, looked poised to retain the top spot until a disastrous double-bogey on the par-4 7th. Despite earlier birdies on Nos. 2, 4 and 6, the costly miscue dropped him to solo second at 133 after a 69 – one shot off the lead.
“It’s all about breaks,” lamented Chan, who blamed thick roughs and poor lies for the unraveling. “I had a lot of good ones yesterday, but today I had some unfortunate breaks and didn’t hit good shots at key moments.”
Despite the slip, Chan remains optimistic and plans to be more aggressive over the weekend.
“I’ll stick to my plan with less expectations. My putting is there. I just need to give myself a chance,” he said.
With two rounds remaining, the tightly packed leaderboard promises more fireworks.
Fidel Concepcion re-entered the title picture with a 66 to move to solo fourth at 134, just two strokes behind. Marvin Dumandan and Josh Jorge stayed in the hunt at 135 after 66 and 67, respectively, while Carl Corpus and defending champion Reymon Jaraula also fired identical 65s to reach 136, joining Ryan Monsalve (69) at seventh.
Two-leg winner Angelo Que and Tony Lascuña also surged with 66 and 67, respectively, matching the 137 totals of Russell Bautista (66), Gerald Rosales (69), and Jhonnel Ababa (69).
Bibat fumbled with a 76 after a 64 and tumbled to joint 25th, his round marred by a double bogey and five bogeys against one birdie.
Forty-four players advanced past the cut line at 143, including amateurs Bobe Salahog (72-138) and Julius Susarno (71-143). Also making the weekend rounds at three-over total were Forest Hills winner Guido van der Valk (71), Kristoffer Arevalo (68), Gabriel Manotoc (71), Pepito Rico (71), Joeleo Torrecampo (72), Kuresh Samanodi (74), Arnold Villacencio (74), and John Michael Uy (76).
As the heat continues to rise, so does the tension at Bacolod – with an unpredictable course, a packed leaderboard, and a shootout looming large.
