Mondilla opens 5-shot lead after 66

Clyde Mondilla is halfway through first win in three years.—CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Taking full advantage of easier conditions for the second straight round, Clyde Mondilla on Wednesday was again flawless, shooting a five-under-par 66 to keep an imposing five-shot lead after two rounds of the P2 million ICTSI Forest Hills Challenge in Antipolo City.

Mondilla has gunned down 17 birdies in the first two rounds, counting 12 on Tuesday when he flirted with a 59 as he takes a 126 aggregate into the final 36 holes in search of snapping a three-year title drought with Albin Engino and Antonio Lascuña lurking.

Late afternoon rains have softened the well-manicured layout and it could force the organizing Pilipinas Golf Tournaments to keep the lift, clean and place rule for the last two rounds.

Mondilla, though, wants to remain on attack mode.

“Those chasing me are all good, formidable players,” Mondilla said in Filipino as Angelo Que remains mathematically in the hunt after shooting a 66 to be 10 shots off.

Engino and Lascuña missed gaining more ground on Mondilla after dropping a combined four shots, with Lascuña signing for bogeys on Nos. 5 and 18 and Engino slowed down by a double bogey 6 on the 12th.

Meanwhile, Daniella Uy seized a one-shot lead in ladies play after an eagle-spiked 68 as first round leader Sarah Ababa ballooned to a 74 to be two shots behind in third spot.