Mondilla wins South Pacific Classic by two strokes

DAVAO CITY — Clyde Mondilla survived a furious challenge from several pursuers and delivered in the closing holes to win the ICTSI South Pacific Classic on Friday at South Pacific Golf Club.

The Del Monte golfer regained control with a near-ace on No. 15 before sinking a long birdie putt on the 17th to take a two-shot lead over Sean Ramos.

Mondilla could afford to miss a four-foot birdie attempt on the 72nd hole and still secure the championship by two strokes.

He closed with a 2-under-par 70 for an 18-under 270 total.

Ramos mounted a strong comeback but settled for a 69 and a 16-under 272 aggregate.

Angelo Que and Keanu Jahns also threatened during a closing stretch in which five players were separated by only two shots.

Ramos moved ahead through a two-shot swing on No. 10, where he made birdie as Mondilla dropped a shot.

“Sean was gaining strokes on me, so the pressure was really intense. But after No. 10, I settled down, regained my momentum and started sinking my putts,” said Mondilla in Filipino.

Mondilla earned the top prize of PHP 448,750 from the tournament’s PHP 2.5 million purse.

“I always believed I had a good chance of winning this week, and thankfully, things worked out in my favor,” he said.

Mondilla’s confidence grew on the par-3 15th, where his tee shot narrowly missed becoming a hole-in-one.

He then drained a lengthy birdie putt on No. 17 and celebrated with a roar and a fist pump.

“I was already pumped up after my birdie on No. 15, which nearly went in for a hole-in-one. Then came the 17th, when I sank that long putt. That was when I told myself, ‘This is it. I have to make sure I birdie before Sean does.’ Fortunately, I made it, giving me a two-shot lead heading into the final hole and a real chance to close out the win,” said Mondilla.

Mondilla had surrendered his three-stroke overnight advantage and fallen one shot behind after the two-shot swing on the 10th.

The multi-titled campaigner drew level by capitalizing on Ramos’ mistake on No. 13.

Mondilla reclaimed the lead with his near-ace on No. 15 and never relinquished it.

Ramos, who was seeking his second Philippine Golf Tour title, had moved to 4-under for the round after his birdie on No. 10.

The recent Asian Development Tour winner in Egypt lost momentum with a bogey on No. 13.

Jahns produced the lowest round of the day with a 9-under 63 despite beginning the final round 10 shots behind Mondilla.

Playing under preferred lies, Jahns narrowly missed another birdie on No. 18 and completed a 32-31 round for a 15-under 273 total.

Jahns shared third place with Lee Song, who finished with an even-par 72.

Que moved within one shot of the lead after an eagle-fueled 6-under performance through 17 holes.

A three-putt bogey on the last left Que with a 67 and a 14-under 274 total for fifth place.

Song entered the final round only one shot behind Mondilla but suffered a double bogey on the par-5 second hole.

He revived his challenge with a birdie on No. 10 before fading from contention.

Elee Bisera fired a 68 to share sixth place at 10-under 278 with Russell Bautista, who carded a 71.

Jeffren Lumbo also shot a 68 to finish tied for eighth at 9-under 279.

Ira Alido joined Lumbo in eighth place after a 69, while Gab Manotoc completed the three-way tie with a 73.

The victory ended Mondilla’s two-year title drought dating to his triumph over Que at Caliraya Springs in 2024.

“This win means a lot because I’m back in the winner’s circle. My confidence is back, too, especially when it comes to handling pressure. I also want to thank my wife, May, and my two daughters, who continue to inspire me,” he said.

“I’m more than ready for the next tournament,” he added.

Mondilla next competes in the ICTSI Apo Golf Classic, which begins Tuesday, Oct. 27, at nearby Apo Golf and Country Club.