Mondilla, Que forge tie at Valley

ANTIPOLO CITY — Sporting a fresh new look and an even sharper game, Clyde Mondilla surged to the top of the ICTSI Valley Golf Challenge leaderboard with a masterful seven-under card — until a shaky finish forced him to settle for a 67 and allowed Angelo Que to pull even after the opening round at the Valley Golf Club on Tuesday.

It was the type of opening salvo expected from two of the Philippine Golf Tour’s (PGT) most accomplished players. They entered the P2-million season-ending championship from contrasting trajectories but with the same fierce hunger.

And chasing close behind was a formidable mix of contenders, making the early leaderboard as crowded as it is compelling.

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.

But make no mistake — the day belonged to two of the Tour’s seasoned warriors.

For Mondilla, whose season has lacked a breakthrough win, this week offers a final shot at redemption. For Que, it’s a chance to lock up his first-ever Order of Merit crown.

Mondilla played with both flair and focus, and yes — with freshly dyed gray hair.

“After this PGT season, I’ll change my aura because it’s already December,” he said, insisting the new look was more for fun than superstition.

The former Philippine Open champion’s season had been uneven: a rough 28th in Bacolod, a strong runner-up finish in Negros Occidental, a joint fifth at Del Monte, and a spirited rally to third at South Pacific. The flashes were there, but the full, complete round had eluded him — until Tuesday.

At the rain-softened South Course, the pieces finally clicked.