Jahns wrests Caliraya lead after a 66

Keanu Jahns. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Keanu Jahns played the front nine with relentless precision for the third straight day, going on to shoot a six-under-par 66 despite closing out with a bogey and settling for a one-shot lead over two tested warriors with 18 holes left in the P2.5 million ICTSI Caliraya Springs Championship in Cavinti in Laguna.

The long-hitting Jahns, the defending champion, has played the front nine in a combined 13-under—including a 30 in the third round—and the back at two-under, as he takes a 201 aggregate into Friday, where he tries to hold off 2022 winner Zanieboy Gialon and Antonio Lascuña.

Gialon scored an ace on No. 14 in returning his version of a 66, while Lascuña slowed down with a 70 to yield the lead and enter the fourth round trailing by a stroke.

“I started really hot for the third straight day,” said Jahns. “I was hitting a lot of greens at the back, but I just couldn’t dial in the speed (of the greens). The greens felt slow and I missed several birdie putts.”

Two other seasoned cogs, Angelo Que and Guido van der Valk of the Netherlands, are within three shots of the lead after similar 68s, with Aidric Chan keeping a mathematical chance being five behind, like two others, after shooting a 67. In that group with Chan was Fidel Concepcion, who fired a 63 with Sean Ramos shooting a 69 for 206.

A wayward drive on the 54th hole had Jahns signing for a bogey 5. He doesn’t want to look too far ahead in his bid to successfully defend his title.

“I’m just staying in the present. I like the way I’m playing and I’m managing the course very well,” he added. “I’m always looking for ways to be more consistent and minimize mistakes so I can post a better score.”