By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Keanu Jahns solidified his growing reputation as the Philippine golf tour’s new standard-bearer after ruling the ICTSI Bacolod Golf Challenge with a composed final round capped by a flourish of late birdies.
The 29-year-old Fil-German standout carded his third straight five-under 65 on Saturday, September 6, to finish at 262, completing a wire-to-wire performance that earned him a second consecutive victory on the circuit and a winner’s purse of P356,000.
Jahns, who also topped last month’s Caliraya Springs event, showed maturity beyond his years by weathering early pressure before stamping his class when it mattered most.
He strung together four birdies in the last six holes, highlighted by a tap-in on the par-4 17th and a long 32-foot birdie putt on the closing hole.
The victory was even sweeter considering the challenges he faced.
Fidel Concepcion trimmed his lead to one stroke after birdies on Nos. 4 and 5, while veteran Angelo Que lit up the front nine two flights ahead with an eagle and a barrage of birdies to momentarily threaten.
“I stayed very patient — I struggled on the front nine, made just one birdie and had to grind out a lot of up-and-downs for par,” Jahns said.
“But I was fortunate to make a few birdies coming in.”
That finishing kick proved decisive.
Concepcion eventually settled for second place after a 67 for 266, good for P233,000, while Que cooled off on the back nine and signed a 64 to claim solo third at 268.
Aidric Chan produced a late surge of his own, rebounding from an uneven start with a 67 to place fourth at 269.
Defending champion Reymon Jaraula (67), Tony Lascuña (65) and Korean Tae Won Ha (69) wound up tied for fifth at 270 after their rallies fell short.
Korean Tae Soo Kim, meanwhile, fired the tournament’s best round with a spotless 63 featuring a pitch-in eagle on the par-4 sixth. His closing effort lifted him into a tie for eighth at 271 with Carl Corpus and Russell Bautista.
The day also featured individual highlights, including Dino Villanueva’s hole-in-one on the par-3 18th using a Mizuno 6-iron. Although he finished tied for 24th at 281, Villanueva walked away with special prizes for his ninth career ace.
Amateur Bobe Salahog, likewise, stood out, taking low amateur honors after finishing joint 12th at 275.
For Jahns, who endured a decade-long wait before breaking through at Forest Hills last year, this Bacolod win was a different kind of test.
“Definitely the hardest,” he admitted.
“This course is so unpredictable — you just can’t afford any mistakes.”
With two straight wins, he now heads to the next stop at Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club on Tuesday, September 9 as the man to beat./ASC, WDJ