Arbole holds nerve, wrests solo lead at ICTSI Negros Classic

Manila Times - Sep 22, 2026

MANILA, Philippines – Fourteen years of waiting have brought Art Arbole to a place he has long dreamed of reaching: the top of a Philippine Golf Tour leaderboard with a championship within sight. Arbole took a major step toward ending that long title drought Tuesday, producing a personal-best 36-hole total and a bogey-free 67 to seize solo control at the halfway mark of the ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club. For the second straight day, the short but tricky layout yielded to Arbole’s steady all-around game. More importantly, the performance gave the journeyman his first outright lead after two rounds – a position that carried both promise and pressure as the tournament heads into the pivotal final 36 holes. “This is the first time that I was able to lead in two days. My game continues to come together – driving, irons and putting,” said Arbole, his eyes betraying the excitement of a player who knows how close he is to a long-awaited breakthrough. “I just need to stay focused day-to-day. Basta mag-connect lang lahat,” added Arbole, who overcame a double bogey in the opening round with an eagle and five birdies to share the lead with Jhonnel...

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