Mondilla surges ahead with clutch eagle

CAGAYAN DE ORO — Clyde Mondilla saved his best shot for the biggest moment, nearly holing out with a 7-iron for an eagle on the par-5 17th to seize the solo lead in the ICTSI Pueblo de Oro Championship on Wednesday.

The Bukidnon ace closed with a four-under-par 68, highlighted by the spectacular eagle, to reach 10-under 206 and take a one-shot lead over Russell Bautista heading into Thursday’s final round of the P2.5-million Philippine Golf Tour event.

After spending much of the day battling to gain ground, Mondilla finally broke clear with a late surge that put him within 18 holes of ending a two-year title drought.

“Okay naman ang position ko. Sana magtuloy-tuloy,” said Mondilla, who last won at Caliraya Springs in 2024, beating Angelo Que by three strokes.

Starting two shots behind halfway leaders Bautista and Rupert Zaragosa, Mondilla made the turn at even par. But he remained patient, saving pars when needed before finding his rhythm on the back nine.

Birdies on Nos. 11 and 15 brought him into contention, setting up the decisive moment at the 17th.

After launching a drive estimated at 345 yards, Mondilla faced a 185-yard second shot. He pulled out a 7-iron and sent the ball close enough to the cup for a tap-in eagle, narrowly missing what could have been an albatross.

“Muntik nang mag-albatross,” he said.

“Sa front nine, maraming up-and-down, pero nakaka-save naman ako ng par. Hindi ako nawalan ng pag-asa kasi maraming birdie holes sa back nine, at nag-work out naman,” he added.

Bautista slipped to a 71 but remained firmly in the hunt at nine-under 207. He is seeking his breakthrough PGT victory after losing to Jeffren Lumbo in a five-hole playoff at South Pacific last year.

Zaragosa, who shared the halfway lead with Bautista, struggled through the middle stretch before recovering with three closing birdies to salvage a 72 and settle into solo third at 208.

Lumbo carded a 70 while Keanu Jahns shot 71, leaving them tied for fourth at 209, just three shots behind Mondilla.

Zanieboy Gialon fired a 69 to take sixth at 210 after holing out for eagle on the par-4 16th and birdying the last.

Fourteen-year-old Junior PGT standout Ralph Batican strengthened his grip on low amateur honors with a 70, joining Jelbert Gamolo, who shot 71, in a tie for seventh at 211.

Reymon Jaraula, the 2019 Pueblo de Oro champion, produced one of the day’s best rounds, firing a 66 after birdying five of his last seven holes, including four straight from No. 14. He climbed to ninth at 212.

Guido van der Valk shot 69 to join Ira Alido and Elee Bisera in a tie for 10th at 214.

With four players within three strokes of the lead, Mondilla knows his advantage is far from secure. The last two tour stops in Negros Occidental and Iloilo were both decided by a single stroke, underscoring the premium on a steady finish.

“Ang pressure, nandoon lagi ’yan. It’s a question of how one handles it,” he said.

His plan for the final round is simple: stick to his game plan and enjoy the challenge.

“Ang importante, mag-stick ako sa game plan ko kasi hindi madali ang course. I will just enjoy the game and the course, especially the greens,” Mondilla said.

One more composed round could finally end his long wait for another title. But with Bautista and a tightly packed chasing group close behind, Mondilla will need to make every shot count.