Van der Valk takes TCC Invitational first-round lead

STA. ROSA, Laguna, Philippines — A battle-hardened veteran with unfinished business seized early control of the leaderboard yesterday, shooting a five-under 67 for a one-stroke lead in The Country Club Invitational.

Guido van der Valk, who stumbled in the end last year, leaned on a blistering frontside and a strong finish to move one clear of Clyde Mondilla at the start of the P6.5 million event.

After turning in a 36, Mondilla had a backside run of five birdies over eight holes to briefly tie Van der Valk at the top. But a costly bogey on the exacting par-4 18th dropped him back to solo second with a 68.

Also in early contention was rising star Carl Corpus, who carded a gutsy 69 to underscore his readiness to contend in the flagship event of the Philippine Golf Tour season.