Wobbly finish by Van der Valk opens door to rivals

DANAO City, Cebu—Guido Van der Valk blew what had appeared to be another fine start with a floundering finish, hobbling with a two-over 73 and enabling a curious mix of rivals to pull within striking distance after three rounds of the ICTSI Club Filipino de Cebu Invitational here Friday.

Up by six after two rounds, Van der Valk opened with two birdies in the first eight holes. But he stumbled with a bogey on the ninth, dropped another stroke on No. 12 and double bogeyed the tricky par-4 14th.

He flubbed a birdie putt on No. 16 and ended up with a 73 and a nine-under 204 total, allowing a horde of others to get a crack at the top P550,000 purse.

Albin Engino eagled the par-5 15th and battled back from eight down to within two at 206 after a 67. Former PGT Asia leg winner Justin Quiban birdied four of the last eight holes to shoot a 67 and tie Michael Bibat, who carded a 68, and Elmer Salvador, who turned in a 69, at 207, just three strokes off the leader.