Mondilla widens lead to 3 shots

CLYDE Mondilla CONTRIBUTED PHOTO (FILE)

LIPA CITY, BATANGAS— Clyde Mondilla closed out with a birdie to cap an eagle-spiked 69 Thursday and pad his lead to three shots going to the last round of the ICTSI Players Championship at Summit Point Golf Club here.

Counting his earlier rounds of 67 and 68, the favored Mondilla pooled a 12-under 204 and stayed afloat, keeping the charging Jay Bayron, who settled for a 67 and a 207 total following a closing bogey, at bay.

Bayron emerged as Mondilla’s strongest pursuer after first round leader Dino Villanueva wavered at the back side with a 41 and a 75 that pulled him out of contention for the top P550,000 purse of the P3 million event serving as the final stop of the 10-leg Philippine Golf Circuit.

Manila-based Dutchman Guido van Der Valk also emerged as a title contender with a 68 and 208 aggregate, four shots off the pace.

Trailing Der Valk, still winless in the pro ranks like Villanueva, are veteran Elmer Salvador and Jerson Balasabas, who carded a 69 and 70, respectively, and were tied at 210.

Despite birdieing three of his first seven holes, Villanueva dropped to a share of sixth spot at 211 and may have blown his title shot.