Mondilla grabs lead

STA. ROSA, Laguna — Clyde Mondilla showcased a resilient performance on Wednesday, overcoming a difficult start to card a second-round 73 and claim a two-stroke lead at The Country Club Invitational.

Despite a rocky front nine and challenging conditions, Mondilla’s determined effort brought him to a one-under 143 at the demanding TCC course. After beginning the day in third place with a 70, Mondilla found himself two-over through 11 holes. However, he made a crucial birdie on the 15th, steadying his game and maintaining his lead.

“I’m glad I was able to recover, especially since I wasn’t hitting it very well,” Mondilla said, reflecting on his effort to stay in contention for the P6 million championship, which is sponsored by ICTSI chairman and CEO Ricky Razon in memory of his father and ICTSI founder, Don Pocholo.

The added length of the course and swirling winds made birdie opportunities scarce, particularly on the back nine. Nevertheless, Mondilla’s resilience kept him ahead of the pack, giving him a two-stroke advantage over Reymon Jaraula, Jay Bayron, co-leader LJ Go and Aidric Chan.

Jaraula and Bayron posted the best rounds of the day, with 71s, while Chan and Go faced difficulties. Chan’s inconsistency led to a 74, and Go struggled with three consecutive bogeys from the 15th, finishing with a 76.

Despite his tough finish, Go remains tied for second at 145, alongside Chan, Jaraula and Bayron.

“On this course, it’s not really over even on the final three holes,” Mondilla noted. “The course can turn on you at any time.”

Two-time winner Guido van der Valk fought back with a three-birdie streak from No. 13, but a closing bogey left him with a 72 for the day, placing him in solo sixth at 147.

Keanu Jahns, the Forest Hills champion, carded a second consecutive 74, tying him with Kakeru Ozeki, who posted a 72, and Nilo Salahog, who struggled with a 75, all at 148.

After a strong first round of 71, Gwon Minwook faltered with a 78, slipping to a tie for 10th at 149. Meanwhile, three-time TCC Invitational champion Angelo Que had a tough finish, bogeying three of the final four holes to shoot 78, leaving him tied for 11th at 151 alongside Albin Engino (74) and Jhonnel Ababa, who carded a 77, highlighted by a double bogey on the par-3 16th.

The second-round results:

143 — Clyde Mondilla 70-73

145 — Jay Bayron 74-71, Aidric Chan 71-74, Lloyd Jefferson Go 69-76, Reymon Jaraula 74-71

147 — Guido van der Valk 75-72

148 — Keanu Jahns 74-74, Kakeru Ozeki 76-72, Nilo Salahog 73-75

149 — Gwon Minwook 71-78

151 — Jhonnel Ababa 73-78, Albin Engino 77-74, Angelo Que 73-78

152 — Fidel Concepcion 80-72, Tony Lascuña 77-75, Sean Jean Ramos 77-75, Rho Hyun Ho 76-76, Dino Villanueva 69-83

153 — Daiya Suzuki 74-79

154 — Collin Wheeler 76-78

155 — Ryan Monsalve 73-82

158 — Kim Tae Soo 80-78

159 — Zanieboy Gialon 79-80, Rupert Zaragosa 79-80

160 — Randy Garalde 80-80

161 — Michael Bibat 75-86

162 — Russell Bautista 85-77, Francis Morilla 81-81

165 — Ira Christian Alido 83-82

143 — Clyde Mondilla 70-73

145 — Jay Bayron 74-71, Aidric Chan 71-74, Lloyd Jefferson Go 69-76, Reymon Jaraula 74-71

147 — Guido van der Valk 75-72

148 — Keanu Jahns 74-74, Kakeru Ozeki 76-72, Nilo Salahog 73-75

149 — Gwon Minwook 71-78

151 — Jhonnel Ababa 73-78, Albin Engino 77-74, Angelo Que 73-78

152 — Fidel Concepcion 80-72, Tony Lascuña 77-75, Sean Jean Ramos 77-75, Rho Hyun Ho 76-76, Dino Villanueva 69-83

153 — Daiya Suzuki 74-79

154 — Collin Wheeler 76-78

155 — Ryan Monsalve 73-82

158 — Kim Tae Soo 80-78

159 — Zanieboy Gialon 79-80, Rupert Zaragosa 79-80

160 — Randy Garalde 80-80

161 — Michael Bibat 75-86

162 – Russell Bautista 85-77, Francis Morilla 81-81

165 — Ira Christian Alido 83-82.