Mondilla masters Villamor field; Lascuña, 2 others share 2nd
Streaking Clyde Mondilla clawed back from four shots down to snare the ICTSI Philippine Masters crown by one over Tony Lascuña, Jhonnel Ababa and American Nicolas Paez at Villamor Golf Club Saturday.
Duplicating his come-from-behind triumph at ICTSI Manila Southwoods last week, the 24-year-old Mondilla fired a backside 33 to salvage a 2-under 70 and a 60-under 282 total that netted him P360,000.
“I just played it safe at the front and when learned that I was near the leaders, I made my move,” said Mondilla, who drove the 318-yard par-4 No. 10 and two-putted for birdie.
Mondilla added another birdie from five feet on No. 11 and drilled in a four-footer on No. 13 to take charge.
Lascuña fell short with late bogeys and settled for joint second with Ababa in the event revived after a 17-year hiatus.
Despite bogeys on Nos. 15 and 17, however, Lascuña nearly forced a playoff after his pitch from 40 yards on the closing par-5 hole stopped just one roll short.
The reigning Order of Merit king tallied a 73 and tied Ababa (70) and Paez (72) at 283. Each received P168,333.
Sophomore pro Jobim Carlos also got in the mix with a
3-under after 11 holes but tumbled with bogeys on Nos. 12 and 16. He birdied the 18th to finish with a 70 for joint fifth at 284 with Zanieboy Gialon (73) and second round leader Nathan Park of Australia, who shot a 71.—ROY LUARCA
