Van der Valk Seizes Lead With Eagle, Birdie

STA. ROSA, Laguna – Guido van der Valk showcased a composed and calculated performance to fire the day’s best two-under-par 70, highlighted by a clutch eagle and a monster birdie putt, to claim a two-stroke lead in the third round of The Country Club Invitational on Thursday.

Starting the day four strokes off the pace in sixth, van der Valk surged to the top at one-over 217. First-day co-leader LJ Go faltered with two bogeys in the final seven holes, settling for a 74 and a 219 total.

Halfway leader Clyde Mondilla looked poised for a strong finish after a birdie on the par-5 second hole. However, a triple bogey and a bogey on Nos. 4 and 5 derailed his momentum. He briefly tied van der Valk with a birdie on the 10th but slipped back after a costly double bogey on the 16th. A final-hole error left Mondilla with a 77, dropping him to third at 220, three shots behind the leader.

Van der Valk, who turned 45 last Sunday, capitalized on the mistakes of his challengers. The Manila-based Dutchman previously defeated the same players to claim his first two TCC Invitational titles, dominating Go by five strokes in 2023 and narrowly edging Mondilla in 2020.

Despite his two-stroke lead, van der Valk remained cautious about securing a record-tying victory in the P6 million event held in honor of ICTSI founder Don Pocholo Razon.

“This course is difficult to dominate because mistakes are easy to make, and birdies are hard to come by,” said van der Valk. “I’ve been lucky to win it twice, but that doesn’t guarantee I’ll do it again. There are too many great players in contention.”

Van der Valk’s pivotal moment came on the par-5 10th hole, where his 4-iron second shot from 220 yards found the green but rolled to the back. He executed a brilliant chip-in for eagle to take the lead.

“It wasn’t the toughest chip, but as soon as it landed, I felt I had a chance – and I was lucky it rolled in,” said van der Valk.

After surrendering the lead with a bogey on No. 15, he regained control in dramatic fashion with a stunning 25-foot birdie putt on the par-3 17th. The putt, initially appearing to roll past the hole, found the perfect break to drop in.

Go managed two birdies on the front nine but struggled on the back with two bogeys, finishing with a 74 for second place.

“The finishing holes are tough, at least for me,” said Go. “But being two or three shots behind is still manageable. Everyone makes bogeys.”

Mondilla’s hopes dimmed further after a wayward drive on the tight par-4 fourth hole led to a triple bogey. A double bogey on the 16th compounded his struggles, though he remains within striking distance of the P2 million top prize.

Aidric Chan and Reymon Jaraula each carded 76s, tying for fourth at 221, just four shots behind the leader. Minwook Gwon posted a 73 to catch Jay Bayron, who struggled with a 77, at 222.

Keanu Jahns and Kakeru Ozeki both returned 76s to share eighth place at 224. Meanwhile, Jhonnel Ababa and Albin Engino finished with 75s, joining Nilo Salahog, who stumbled with a 78, in 10th place at 226.

Defending champion Tony Lascuña failed to mount a comeback, remaining at 227 in a tie for 13th with Daiya Suzuki, who posted a 74. Three-time TCC winner Angelo Que endured a tough day, marred by a triple-bogey seven on No. 7, finishing with a 77 and dropping into a share of 15th at 228 alongside Asian Tour rookie Sean Ramos and Hyun Ho Rho, who both posted 76s.