Mondilla regains spot on crucial 2-shot swing

STA. ROSA, Laguna , Philippines  —  Unfazed by Kim Joo Hyung’s gutsy game, Clyde Mondilla unleashed a finish that could win big-time championships here at The Country Club, birdying the difficult No. 18 which the young Korean bogeyed for a crucial two-shot swing that kept the duo tied after three rounds of the TCC Invitational here yesterday.

Mondilla blasted a solid drive and a superb approach shot on what has long been considered as one of the toughest finishing holes in Asia, a dog-leg par-4 with a huge lake on the right and menacing bunkers guarding the sleek surface, calmly drilling in a 10-foot birdie putt to save a 70.

Kim, 16, bucked an opening hole mishap with a cluster of birdies to stun Mondilla and three-time champion Angelo Que with a 33 start but Mondilla rallied from three down with a strong finish, sparking his fightback with a birdie on No. 14.

Kim, who became the youngest winner on the Philippine Golf Tour at Pueblo De Oro last year, rebounded from a bogey on No. 11 with a birdie on the 16th to keep his spot on top but failed to ride the pressure on the last hole, hitting it short on his approach shot.

“That’s a good bogey,” said Kim, whose 70 kept him level with Mondilla at 216, virtually setting up a two-man duel for the top P1.5 million purse as the next player – Keanu Jahns – lay four strokes behind in this kickoff leg of the PGT’s milestone 10th season put up by ICTSI chairman Ricky Razon in 2003 to honor the memory of his father and ICTSI founder.

“I played good, my irons, short game and putting were okay,” said Mondilla, seeking to make it two-in-row here at the Tom Weiskoph-designed layout after besting a crack international field in the Solaire Philippine Open three weeks ago.

The Del Monte ace hit three birdies inside 15 feet against a lone bogey, missing eagle chances on the two par-5s. He hit a solid 3-iron second shot from 195 yards on No. 8 but misread a 10-footer then hacked a 3-wood second shot from 280 yards to within 15 feet on No. 14.

Kim said he struggled off the mound and vowed to stay in control of his game in the last 18 holes but refused to predict the winning score.

“The course is difficult and the hot weather adds up to the challenge. So I have to stay focused,” said Kim.

Jahns turned in a rare backside 32 in tough conditions to salvage a 71 as he moved to solo third though four strokes behind the joint leaders.