Clyde glides closer to another PGT title

DAVAO CITY — Clyde Mondilla is back where he has been so many times before — on top of the leaderboard, within reach of another Philippine Golf Tour (PGT) title and in control of his own destiny.

This time, however, the seasoned, multi-titled campaigner is determined to change the ending.

Riding a blistering start and a relentless birdie spree, Mondilla fired an eight-under 64 under preferred lies to storm from four shots down into the outright lead after the third round of the ICTSI South Pacific Classic on Thursday, putting himself in prime position to end a title drought that has lingered since 2024.

“I’ve been working on my iron and wedge play this week, making a few adjustments to fix the mistakes I made at Pueblo,” said Mondilla in Filipino, one of the winningest players on the PGT whose last victory came two years ago at Caliraya Springs, when he defeated Angelo Que by three strokes.

The Bukidnon ace opened with four straight birdies, erased his deficit to catch halfway leader Lee Song at 13-under, then sustained the charge over the remaining holes to seize the solo lead at 16-under 200.

It was a stirring reminder of Mondilla’s ability to take control of a tournament when his game clicks. But it also brought back memories of what happened just days ago at Pueblo de Oro — when a spectacular third-round surge put him in command, only for a disastrous final-day 73 to send him tumbling to fourth.

This time, Mondilla is hoping the lessons of that painful finish will make all the difference.

Standing in his way is Song, who has been knocking on the door of a breakthrough since topping the PGT Qualifying School in 2023. The Korean, who surged into the lead with rounds of 67 and 65, remained firmly in contention despite Mondilla’s spectacular charge, carding a 69 for a 201.

“It was a good round, although I made a lot of mistakes. Still, I managed to save par on a few holes,” Song said.

As he prepares for his first serious bid for a PGT title, Song vowed to stick to his game plan.

“It’s the same mindset. I’ll just play for par, hit the fairways and greens, and take advantage of any birdie opportunities that come my way,” he added.

Sean Ramos, who joined the crowded leaderboard with a 66 in the second round, remained in the hunt at 203, also after a 69. He recovered from an opening bogey with three birdies over the next six holes but could not sustain the momentum, finishing with a string of pars before birdying the 17th to stay in solo third.

Gab Manotoc, meanwhile, saw his bid for a maiden PGT breakthrough lose ground after a 73. Following rounds of 66 and 67, the bogey-free brilliance that had fueled his early charge gave way to a tougher day. After a frontside 35, he faltered with bogeys on Nos. 12, 14 and 15 before bouncing back with a birdie the 16th for the third straight day. He dropped to fourth at 206.

“Putter was cold today and the three bogeys came from mental errors. I have to clean that up and try to post a number tomorrow,” Manotoc said.

Mondilla’s recent run has been a study in promise and frustration. After spending time away from the Tour to attend to farm work in Bukidnon, Mondilla returned to competitive action in Negros Occidental last month, tying for eighth before placing fourth in Iloilo. He then contended for the title at Pueblo de Oro, only to see his bid unravel in the final round.