TAGAYTAY – Jhonnel Ababa turned a horrible start into an explosive windup, banging in a rare double-eagle on No. 10 on his way to a four-under 68 and a two-stroke lead over erstwhile leader Tony Lascuña and Micah Shin in the third round of the ICTSI Splendido Classic at the Splendido Taal Golf Club here yesterday.
Ababa overcame a four-over start after four holes, including a double-bogey 7 on No. 2 as he racked up five birdies and gunned down an albatross on the par-5 10th on a brilliant 3-wood second shot from 255 yards that landed on the green, rolled sideways and into the cup.
The former amateur standout, who last won on the ASEAN PGA Tour in Malaysia in 2014, actually headed to the green with no idea of his feat and even took a step back when tournament director Bong Igaya told him that it went out of bounds.