Arevalo surges ahead with gutsy 71

DAVAO, Philippines — Kristoffer Arevalo came out on top after a third-round battle characterized by survival instincts at the challenging Apo course here, crafting a brave 71 to find himself the bewildered leader in the ICTSI Apo Golf Classic yesterday.

Navigating through the intricate layout, Arevalo found himself atop the leaderboard filled with big names at two-over 218, one stroke ahead of reigning Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit winner Jhonnel Ababa and another shot clear of three other contenders.

The unpredictable nature of the course has seen a new leader emerge every day since the start of the 2.5 million championship, the kickoff leg of this year’s 10-leg circuit.

Despite the pressure of leading, the 24-year-old Arevalo remains remarkably composed, drawing on his extensive experience in tournament play.

“Honestly, I don’t feel any pressure,” said Arevalo confidently. “One thing I’ve learned from winning many tournaments while growing up is just to just play, literally play.”

“If pressure comes in, it will really affect me. But if I play my game, I won’t feel any (pressure),” he added.