ANTIPOLO – Sporting a fresh new look and an even sharper game, Clyde Mondilla surged to the top of the ICTSI Valley Golf Challenge leaderboard with Angelo Que after an opening five-under par 67 at the Valley Golf Club on Tuesday.
Mondilla, whose season is still lacking in a breakthrough win, played with both flair and focus, and yes – with freshly dyed gray hair.
Sizzling Mondilla start
Starting on the back nine, Mondilla carved out a four-under 32, highlighted by a brilliant three-birdie run from No. 15 under lift-clean-and-place rules. After a slip on No. 1, he made a chip-in eagle on the par-5 fifth and birdies on the next two holes.
But his putting deserted him late, leading to costly three-putts on the final two greens for a 35-32 finish.
“Okay ang palo, diretso, pero na-bogey ang last two holes kasi mahirap ang greens,” said Mondilla.
Standing in his path is Que, who – almost on cue – posted the kind of start that could power not only a run at the title but also a run at an elusive OOM crown.
His five-under card may not guarantee the trophy, let alone the season-long title, but it was a declaration of intent from the three-time Asian Tour winner.
“I’ve been playing well for the past four weeks, and I think I drove it and putted well today,” Que said. “I missed four greens but pretty much got up-and-down, making just one bogey.”
Carl Corpus, enjoying peak form, fired a 69 to tie with Jhonnel Ababa and Korean Taewon Ha at third. Anthony Fernando and Albin Engino matched 70s to pace the dark horses aiming to make a breakthrough in the PGT’s culminating event.
Sean Ramos, fresh off a Taiwan stint, posted a 71 to join a packed group at eighth that included Atsushi Ueda, Junichi Katayama, Fidel Concepcion, Aidric Chan, Ferdie Aunzo, Michael Bibat, Ira Alido, and amateur Bobe Salahog.
Recent South Pacific leg champion Jeffren Lumbo endured a roller-coaster round for a 72 and a share of 17th alongside Randy Garalde, Jay Bayron, Arnold Villacencio, Rupert Zaragosa, and Ryan Monsalve.
Mars Pucay, Dino Villanueva, Tae Soo Kim and John Michael Uy checked in with 73s.
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