CLYDE Mondilla shot a flawless five-under 65 yesterday to take a two-stroke lead over Jay Bayron and Guido Van Der Valk of The Netherlands halfway through the ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic.
In search of a third title this season, Mondilla, the long-hitting Bukidnon native, assembled nines of 31-34 for a 36-hole 130 aggregate and keep Bayron and the Dutchman, who both fired 67s, at bay.
First round leader Rufino, Jay Bayron’s younger brother, ballooned to a 72 to now be five shots behind even as Miguel Tabuena, who will represent the country at the revival of the sport in the Olympics next month, made the biggest move with a 64 to just be three shots adrift.
Antonio Lascuna’s bid for an unprecedented fourth straight championship hit a snag with a 70 as he opens his third round today nine shots off the pace and needing a super low round to be in the title chase on Saturday.
Micah Shin, the Korean-American who lost in a three-man playoff to Lascuna at Binitin last week, shot a 67 and was tied with Tabuena.
Rookie Justin Quiban, Zannie Boy Gialon and Japan Senior Tour-bound Cassius Casas were tied at 134 after shooting 66, 69 and 68, in that order.
Frankie Miñoza, the country’s foremost pro, also crept into contention after firing a 65 for 135, tied with six others counting Rufino and ex-Marapara caddy Gherome Malaga, who shot a 67.
The 21-year-old Tabuena played a much steadier round, going bogey-less in signing for a couple of 32s over the tree-lined layout as he primes up for the Rio de Janeiro Games as the country’s only representative in golf.
After shooting nine birdies in opening with a 63 on Wednesday, Rufino made just one in the second round that went with four bogeys, including one on the 18th that marked the second straight round that he dropped a shot on the long par-5 hole.