Mondilla rides eagle to seize clubhouse lead

Clyde Mondilla took the clubhouse lead with an eagle-spiked 6-under 66 in the twice weather-delayed third round Friday even as Miguel Tabuena and Tony Lascuña also revved up their title drives in the ICTSI Manila Southwoods Championship at Legends course in Carmona, Cavite.

Charging from five flights below the lead pack, Mondilla shot five birdies and an eagle-3 on No. 14 against a bogey en route to 33s and 54-hole total of 16-under 200 heading to the final round of the $60,000 event.

However, Tabuena and Lascuña could still overtake Mondilla after completion of third-round play Saturday.

Reaping the benefits of a weeklong break, Tabuena was actually ahead of Mondilla at 17-under with three holes to play while Lascuña was at 15-under with two holes to go when the organizing Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. suspended play due to heavy rain and lightning.

Though his chief pursuers are the big guns of the local tour, Mondilla believes he stands a good chance of improving on his runner-up finish in last week’s Orchard Championship.

“Since most were shooting low, I told myself that I should also make my move,” said Mondilla. “I was lucky to hit a lot of birdies and the eagle proved to be a bonus.” —ROY LUARCA