RYAN Monsalve stumbled in the frontside finish, missing the chance to replicate his first-round performance and turning the chase for the ICTSI Villamor Philippine Masters crown into a fierce battle.
The rookie pro seemed poised to dominate as he surged to a five-stroke lead over Angelo Que with a five-birdie, one-bogey card after 11 holes at the Villamor Golf Club. However, a bogey on the fourth hole and a double bogey on the challenging No. 5 allowed his rivals to close the gap.
Another error on the eighth hole left Monsalve settling for an even-par 72 and clinging to a precarious one-stroke lead.
Despite the shaky finish, Monsalve managed to maintain the lead at four-under 140. But his inability to build a commanding cushion left him vulnerable to an anticipated charge from Que and a mix of contenders heading to the pivotal round of the P2 million championship, the fourth leg of this year’s Philippine Golf Tour.
“I didn’t feel like I played too badly; I just ended up with a bogey and a double bogey,” said Monsalve, reflecting on his costly mistakes on the closing holes.
Up by five strokes at one point, Monsalve, who marked his professional debut with a fifth-place finish at Apo, acknowledged he wasn’t aware of his lead but knew he was playing well enough to be in contention.
“I didn’t finish strong, but I believe I still played well mentally,” added Monsalve.
Que hot on leader's tail
Hot on his trail is Que, who posted the day’s best score of 68 amid the sweltering conditions. The three-time Asian Tour winner, aiming to end a five-year title drought, fired five birdies to offset a lone bogey on the water-laced par-3 17th, putting himself in strong contention at 141.
Que, who last won at the 2019 PGT Asia event at Manila Southwoods, has been in top form entering this week’s championship organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., securing a solo 12th place finish at the All Thailand Partnership Trophy and a tie for ninth at the Phuket Open over the past three weeks.
Following a mediocre first-round 73, Que birdied three of the first five holes at the back. A miscue on No. 17 temporarily stalled his charge, but he recovered with birdies on Nos. 1 and 9, posting a pair of 34s to stay in the thick of things.
Unheralded Rico Depilo carded an impressive 70 to move to joint third at 142 with erstwhile leader Hyun Ho Rho, who birdied two of the last six holes at the front to salvage a 75. Tony Lascuña and Reymon Jaraula moved into contention at fifth with a pair of 70s for 143s, while Aidric Chan also hobbled with a 75 after a 69, slipping to joint seventh at 144 with Sean Ramos and Daiya Suzuki, who matched par 72s, and Palos Verdes leg winner Lloyd Go, who put in a 73.
Others who advanced but remained way off the pace include Guido van der Valk (75-146), Rupert Zaragosa (75-147), Clyde Mondilla (71-148), Michael Bibat (77-149), Toru Nakajima (72-149), Dino Villanueva (77-149), Jay Bayron (75-150), and Gerald Rosales (78-150).
Eight players tied at 151, the cutoff score, including defending champion Jhonnel Ababa (76), and former Masters titlist Jerson Balasabas (79). Former Order of Merit winner Elmer Salvador and former leg champion Zanieboy Gialon failed to advance with 152s after 74 and 77, respectively.
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