BACOLOD—Aidric Chan and Michael Bibat, who had contrasting finishes in the previous Philippine Golf Tour leg at Caliraya Springs, found common ground here on Tuesday at the ICTSI Bacolod Golf Challenge, both carding impressive six-under-par 64s to seize a share of the first-round lead over Randy Garalde.
Despite the unpredictable weather – a seesaw of sun and rain – both players turned in composed and calculated rounds to stay ahead in the P2 million tournament. With the softened fairways at the Bacolod Golf and Country Club neutralizing long hitters, precision, patience and putting were the keys to early success.
Chan, who finished tied for seventh at Caliraya, delivered a highlight-reel moment on the par-5 15th. After missing his tee shot, he recovered with a solid 4-iron second shot from 236 yards that landed in front of the green. He then watched his long putt drop for an eagle.
“I luckily hit a good second shot and made a long putt,” said Chan, who posted a pair of 32s that included five birdies against one bogey.
The 40-year-old Bibat, meanwhile, also used a missed cut at Caliraya as fuel for his strong start, said better preparation this week made all the difference.
“I haven’t had enough practice in the past, so I kind of struggled,” Bibat admitted. “Teaching takes up a lot of time, and I almost always run out of chances to train. But this week I carved out time – and it showed.”
His bogey-free 64 was one of only two blemish-free rounds on Day 1, the other being Sean Ramos’ 67. Bibat birdied holes 2, 5, 10, 14, 15 and 17, and preserved his clean card with gritty par saves from 12 and 15 feet. His only regret was a missed three-foot birdie on No. 13.
The Bacolod layout, though short in yardage, played tougher than expected due to recent rains that softened the fairways and reduced rollout. Approach shots required more control, and the receptive but slower greens demanded deft touch and adaptability.
Garalde stood just one shot off the pace at 65 after relying on a red-hot putter.
Amateur Bobe Salahog and American Collin Wheeler matched 66s for joint fourth with the former bouncing back from an early bogey with a string of birdies, and the latter making the most of an early tee time, carding four front-nine birdies and finishing with an impressive round despite a bogey at the 18th.
Lurking just three shots back at 67 are Monsalve, Ramos, Caliraya Springs leg winner Keanu Jahns, James Ryan Lam and John Michael Uy.
