Mondilla opens defense against crack foreign bets

MANILA, Philippines - Clyde Mondilla braces for a four-day showdown with a field toughened up by the presence of crack foreign players and a course notorious for its wind as he opens his bid for back-to-back crown in the Philippine Amateur Golf Championships beginning today at Riviera’s Langer course in Silang, Cavite.

The Del Monte bet, who beat now-pro Miguel Tabuena in the final of last year’s event at home, said “anything close to level par” could possibly win the championship especially if the wind continue to blow like it did the past week.

“It will be a very difficult course to conquer,” said Mondilla after one of his practice rounds last week. “This course will not reward risk takers. One has to be very patient.”

Unlike last year when he won the crown via the match play format, the 17-year-old Mondilla is shooting for a different crown since this year’s championship will be disputed over 72 holes using the stroke play form.

But out to foil his bid in the tournament, presented by Pancake House and SOC Land, is a slew of talented players, headed by Jobim Carlos, Art Arbole and Zanie Boy Gialon, along with Thailand’s Somprad Rattanasuwann and Gregory Foo and Jerome Ng of Singapore.

Rattanasuwann was the final day hero for Thailand in its Montecillo Cup win over the Philippines three weeks ago before eventually finishing fourth in individual play, while Foo was Singapore’s top junior in 2009 and is now the spearhead of his country’s national squad.

Meanwhile, keen competition is also seen in the accompanying ladies championship with Cebu’s Irina Gabasa facing stiff challenge from the ICTSI-backed bets Chihiro Ikeda and Dottie Ardina.

The tournament, organized and conducted by the National Golf Association of the Philippines, is backed by Autohub, Great Depot, Callaway, sportsman Hermie Esguerra and Odyssey Golf.