LUBAO, Pampanga. — Angelo Que stormed ahead in the ICTSI Pradera Verde Championship with a masterfully executed 68 at the newly introduced Pinatubo course, seizing a three-shot advantage over Keanu Jahns, Jaehyun Jung, Carl Corpus and Christopher Popp here on Monday.
This latest addition to the 36-hole Pradera Verde golf complex is hosting a tournament of this scale for the first time since its unveiling late last year, immediately setting itself apart as a true test of skill and strategy.
Que, a seasoned competitor and three-time Asian Tour winner, relied on meticulous planning to navigate the demanding course.
“It’s all about strategy,” said Que, who flourished on a hot, windy day with five birdies against a bogey. “When I played the pro-am on Sunday, I focused on identifying the right spots to miss on tough holes. If you miss it in the right place, you can still manage to save par.”
Que not only liked how the course suited his eye but executed well, making clutch putts and reading the greens with precision.
“I putted better than most today (Monday), even sinking putts I usually miss,” said Que, who won the Philippine Masters last year. “With the wind making conditions tough, knowing where to place the ball was key. But holing a lot of putts really made the difference.”
While some players opted for aggressive plays and others took a more cautious approach, the lead changed hands frequently throughout the day. The gusty winds made the already challenging 7,400-yard course play even longer, adding another layer of difficulty.
Coming off a pro-am victory with Aron Roxas, Ralph Dungca, and JC Quizon, Jahns faced a much sterner test on the championship layout. Unlike traditional courses in the country, where raw power often dictates success, the Pinatubo course forces even the longest hitters to think strategically.
Jahns, known for his big-hitting ability, adjusted well. Despite an early stumble with a bogey on No. 2 and a double bogey on No. 3, he rebounded with a series of birdies, capitalizing on the course’s scoring opportunities. He birdied four holes on the front nine, including all three par-5s (Nos. 6, 7, and 9), and added another birdie on No. 12. However, a costly double bogey on No. 13 saw him settle for a 71.
Corpus, coming off a runner-up finish in last week’s PGT Q-School at Splendido Taal, displayed composure in his first pro tournament, carding three birdies against two bogeys to stay within striking distance.
Jung also impressed, as the Q-School topnotcher bounced back from a bogey-riddled backside start of 38 with a pitch-in eagle on No. 4 before closing with a strong birdie-birdie-bogey-birdie run to salvage a 33 and secure a share of second.
Popp matched Corpus’ three-birdie, two-bogey round, while Josh Jorge and Toru Nakajima posted identical 72s for joint sixth in the P2.5 million championship sponsored by ICTSI and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.
