Ababa seeks 4th straight win at BDO Cangolf Invitational
Jhonnel Ababa has already tucked golf victories in the last three legs on the ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour.
For sure, Ababa will go for one more title and a possible shot at the Order of Merit crown when the P1 million BDO Canlubang Golf Invitational Presented by ICTSI is fires off on November 9 at the north course of Laguna’s Canlubang Golf and Country Club.
Ababa’s six-shot romp over Tony Lascuna and Mhark Fernando at ICTSI Calatagan last week was his third victory after scoring his maiden win at ICTSI Iloilo and ruling the ICTSI Riviera leg.
With that, the Davaoeno shotmaker to rose to No. 3 in the OOM ranking for a crack at the coveted OOM crown with two legs left in the 16-stage circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.
With P976,956 in earnings, the 24-year-old Ababa still stood P500,000 behind frontrunning Juvic Pagunsan, who remained on top despite being out of the last six tournaments due to suspension.
Pagunsan has amassed a total winnings of P1,474,604 on four leg wins and two runner-up finishes.
Elmer Salvador, winner of the OOM crown when the International Container Terminal Services, Inc. revived the pro circuit in 2009, is at No. 2 with P1,012,019. But focus will be on Ababa, who will not only be carrying the momentum of his big win at Calatagan but will also be playing on a course he is so familiar with.
Aside from the Batangas layout, Cangolf has also been home not only to Ababa but to the other former members of the national team, including Lascuna, Fernando, Jay Bayron, Richard Sinfuego, Jerson Balasabas and Rey Pagunsan.
That could set the stage for a wide-open battle for the top P200,000 prize in the P1 million event although Ababa will still be the marked man owing to his form and confidence.
