Mondilla repulses Carlos in Manila Masters playoff

Clyde Mondilla. Photo from INQUIRER Golf

Clyde Mondilla tapped in for birdie in the first playoff hole with rookie Jobim Carlos yesterday and ruled the P3.5 million ICTSI Manila Masters, the hard-working, long-hitting Bukidnon native’s third victory on the professional tour.

Mondilla closed out the final round with a two-under-par 70 and caught Carlos on top at 283, before hitting a 3-iron from 240 yards out for his second shot on the par-5 18th that landed near the fringe for a pitch that stopped inches short of the cup.

Carlos fired a 72 in the final round, starting out with a double bogey which proved to be the difference.

“It was a hard-fought win,” Mondilla said in Filipino. “I’m just lucky to have pulled it off.”

Carlos started the day a shot ahead of Jay Bayron but stumbled right out of the gates with that costly double. He did have a chance to take the playoff into a second hole but missed a 15-footer for birdie.

Still, it was the best finish for the 23-year-old Carlos, who took the lead in the second round after a second straight 69. He rebounded from that debacle with birdies on Nos. 2 and 3 only for Mondilla to gather some steam late in the round and forge the playoff.

Mondilla birdied the 18th a total of five times, counting all four rounds in regulation.

Joenard Rates fired a 71 and finished third at 287, with Bayron skying to a 76 that left him tied with Rene Menor at level 288. Menor, the first round leader who slowly drifted away, fired a 75.

Angelo Que, the champion last year, cracked par for the first time, shooting a 69 to catch the legendary Frankie Minoza at 289. Minoza submitted a 75.