CAGAYAN DE ORO – Tiffany Lee waited two long years to win again, and when her chance finally came, she had to fight for it.
The Manila-based Korean saw a four-shot lead disappear in front-nine struggle at the ICTSI Pueblo de Oro Championship on Wednesday. But just when the title appeared to be slipping away, the 18-year-old produced a clutch back-nine rally to beat Yvon Bisera by two strokes on a closing 72.
It was no runaway triumph. It was a test of character.
Back-to-back birdies from No. 14 brought Lee back to two-under overall and pulled her level with Bisera, wiping out the damage of a difficult opening stretch. She then birdied the par-5 No. 17 to regain the outright lead before calmly parring the last hole to end a long wait for a second Ladies Philippine Golf Tour title.
READ Zaragosa fires scorching 67 to earn share of Pueblo de Oro lead
“It was a roller-coaster. There were a lot of downs and there were a lot of downs,” said Lee. “I think it was a combination of smart choices and confidence, which is very hard to have under pressure. But I tried my best.”
Her three-round total of four-under 212 secured the top prize of P162,500 – a deserved reward for a player who had endured two years of near-misses and frustration since bursting onto the LPGT scene with a one-stroke victory in her professional debut at Splendido Taal in 2024.
Bisera finished with a 70 for a 214, settling for runner-up honors once again despite having two victories to her credit.
Looking back at her journey, Lee was quick to credit her support system, especially her father, Youngin Lee, who serves a multi-faceted role in her career.
“He supports me, coaches me, and caddies for me. Unfortunately, he couldn’t caddie in the last two days due to a back injury,” shared Lee. “Most of the credit goes to my dad, my family, and to ICTSI for providing this circuit.”
Meanwhile, Clyde Mondilla capped a late-round surge with a spectacular eagle on the par-5 No. 17 to card a four-under 68 and seize the solo lead in the men's tournament, moving within 18 holes of a long-awaited return to the winner’s circle.
The late flourish lifted the Bukidnon ace to a 10-under-par 206 total and gave him a precious one-stroke cushion over Russell Bautista heading into the final round of the P2.5-million PGT championship.
The surge proved decisive in a crowded leaderboard that had featured a multiple tie at eight-under, with Rupert Zaragosa, Keanu Jahns and Jeffren Lumbo also keeping themselves firmly in contention.
Mondilla is chasing his first championship in two years after defeating Angelo Que by three strokes at Caliraya Springs in 2024.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
