Ababa, Arbole battle back to form, share Negros Classic lead with 65s

MANILA, Philippines – Jhonnel Ababa weathered a late stumble to fire a five-under 65 and share the opening-round lead with Art Artbole as the ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic got off to a frenetic start Monday at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club in Negros Occidental. Ababa had looked poised for an even more spectacular finish until his wayward drive on the closing par-5 18th put him in trouble. The ensuing miscue led to a bogey, denying the former Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit winner a chance to cap a near-flawless round. Still, the 65 put the Davaoeño ace squarely in contention in a tournament that immediately produced a packed leaderboard and set the stage for what could be a tight and unpredictable finish over the next three rounds. For Ababa, however, the numbers on the leaderboard were only part of the story. He is trying to rediscover the form that once made him one of the circuit’s most consistent winners while adjusting to an increasingly competitive Philippine professional golf landscape, where rising young players and seasoned campaigners continue to push the established names. “Focus lang sa laro at sa mga anak ko, at enjoy lang sa paglalaro kahit may pinagdadaanan,” said Ababa, who...