Gwon scores maiden win at TCC

Gwon scores maiden win at TCC | Daily Tribune

STA. ROSA, Laguna — Minwook Gwon claimed the title at The Country Club Invitational in his debut attempt, securing victory with a clutch par in sudden death after Guido van der Valk faltered down the stretch on Friday at the TCC course here.

The 23-year-old Korean, who bogeyed the challenging 18th hole in regulation, carded the day’s best round with a 69. His fortunes shifted when Van der Valk, chasing a record-tying victory, struggled with a series of costly errors and finished with a 74, forcing a sudden death after both players completed the tournament at three-over 291.

In the playoff, Gwon safely found the center of the green on their return to No. 18 and two-putted for par. Meanwhile, Van der Valk’s approach shot caught a flyer, sending the ball into the water behind the green.

After taking a penalty drop on the fringe, he settled for a bogey, allowing Gwon to secure his maiden professional victory.

“I really wanted to win my first pro tournament. I feel great that I did it in the biggest event on the Philippine Golf Tour,” said Gwon, who began his golfing journey at Riviera Golf Club in Silang at the age of eight.

The P6 million championship featured an elite 30-player field, including past TCC Invitational winners and top finishers on the Order of Merit. Gwon took home P2 million, while Van der Valk received P1 million as the runner-up.

Reymon Jaraula placed third with a total score of 293 after an even-par 72, earning P540,000.

LJ Go shot a 76 to finish fourth at 295, collecting P408,000, while Japan’s Kakeru Ozeki placed fifth at 296 after a 72, taking home P288,000. Aidric Chan (76) and Clyde Mondilla (77) shared sixth place at 297.

For Van der Valk, the loss was particularly poignant as he played while mourning the recent passing of his father, Wouter, just two weeks prior.

“I was hoping to win this for him. Hopefully, I get another chance,” said the Manila-based Dutchman.

Van der Valk seemed poised for a strong finish, landing his tee shot in the heart of the 17th green, but he misjudged his first putt and three-putted.

On the decisive 18th hole, his drive found the right fairway bunker, and his second shot landed in the bushes. After taking a penalty drop, he made a double-bogey, costing him the title.

“I was very nervous in the playoff because I know Guido is a very good player,” said Gwon, reflecting on his remarkable victory barely a year after earning his spot on the PGT through Q-School.

His previous best finish was a fifth-place finish at Caliraya Springs last year, a far cry from this breakthrough triumph.

Understanding the stakes, Gwon kept his strategy simple.

“I thought the one who makes par will win, so I just tried to hit the fairway, land on the green, and make two putts. Everything just went well, so I’m very happy now,” he said.

Adding to the moment, Gwon’s parents had watched him play all four days.

“Having them here makes this win even more meaningful,” he added.

For much of the final round, Gwon had nearly conceded the title to Van der Valk, who stood on the 18th tee with a comfortable lead.

“I was already satisfied with a second or third-place finish,” Gwon recalled. “I thought I had no chance to win.”

But as he waited, his friends alerted him that Van der Valk had run into trouble on No. 18. “They told me, ‘Let’s just wait,’” Gwon said.

Then, the unthinkable happened — Van der Valk stumbled with a double bogey, throwing the tournament wide open. Instead of celebrating a record-tying victory, the Dutchman watched as fate handed Gwon the opportunity of a lifetime — a chance he seized with unwavering composure.

Van der Valk, poised to join Angelo Que and Juvic Pagunsan as a three-time TCC Invitational champion after his victories in 2020 and 2023, saw his title hopes slip away in heartbreaking fashion.