Deadlock at the Valley: Mondilla, Que fire 67s

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ANTIPOLO – 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 most accomplished players. They entered the PHP2-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.

“Patapos na naman ang PGT season, so palit lang ng aura kasi December na,” 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.

Starting on the back nine, Mondilla carved out a four-under 32, highlighted by a brilliant three-birdie run from No. 15 under lift-clean-and-place rules. It was controlled aggression – disciplined lines, crisp swings and a steady putter.

He shifted into higher gear on the front. After a slip on No. 1, his power game ignited, yielding a chip-in eagle on the par-5 fifth and birdies on the next two holes. But his putting deserted him late, leading to costly three-putts on the final two greens for a 35-32 finish.

“Okay ang palo, diretso, pero na-bogey ang last two holes kasi mahirap ang greens,” said Mondilla. Still, he relied on his length to generate chances. “Advantage ang may power kasi puwede mong i-cut ang distance. Kaya dikit ang mga na-birdie ko.”

Confident from his strong run at South Pacific, he added: “I expected to lead. Sana manalo bago mag-end season.”

Standing in his path is Que, who – almost on cue – posted the kind of start that could power not only a run at the title but also a decisive strike for the elusive OOM crown.

His five-under card may not guarantee the trophy, let alone the season-long title, but it was a declaration of intent from the three-time Asian Tour winner.

“I’ve been playing well for the past four weeks, and I think I drove it and putted well today,” Que said. “I missed four greens but pretty much got up-and-down, making just one bogey.”

His near-flawless round under preferred lies puts him firmly on track for a third leg victory – and perhaps that long-awaited validation as one of the Tour’s true kings.

He added that he’s more than happy to continue his strong run of form.

It also helps that he’s competing on one of the country’s true “thinking” courses.

“This course has been one of my favorites since my jungolf days. I like the challenge here – you have to think, not just hit your shots. You need to know where to miss, how to position your shots, and when to be aggressive or when not to be,” added Que, who launched his title bid with a 25-foot birdie putt on No. 1 and followed it up with a 10-footer.

“From there, my birdies were pretty much close-range,” said Que, who is looking forward to another strong performance not just in the second round but for the rest of the final leg of the 10-stage circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.

“Keep hitting the fairways and greens and try to hole more putts,” said Que in summing up his game plan for the next three days.

Ababa, meanwhile, took on the early challenger’s role with a 69, highlighted by a pitch-in eagle on No. 7 and two backside birdies that offset his lone miscue on No. 2.

But the veteran ace lamented several missed putts that could’ve placed him alongside Que or closer to the first-day leader.

“It’s a good start – driving and irons were okay – pero mahirap ang green, maraming mintis,” said Ababa, whose effort nevertheless put the multi-titled campaigner back in the early hunt after finishing 29th at Del Monte, 21st at Apo and 22nd at South Pacific last month.