Monsalve sputters but keeps one-shot lead at Villamor

Ryan Monsalve salvages a 72. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Rookie Ryan Monsalve settled for a level par 72, barely clinging on to a one-shot lead in the ICTSI Villamor Philippine Masters in Pasay where he could have left the talented field biting his dust if not for a whimper of a finish on the frontside of the tree-lined, military-controlled layout.

Up by five shots going to his 12th hole, the long-hitter out of Manila Southwoods seemed to be on cruise control only to drop four shots in a five-hole span from No. 4, counting a double bogey 6 on No. 5, which allowed a host of others like Angelo Que, who shot a 68, and the dangerous Antonio Lascuña back in the mix.

With a 140 aggregate after the halfway point, Monsalve will be playing in the final group for the first time in his young professional life in the company of Que, the many-time Asian Tour winner who returned a 68 to blow past a host of contenders and be the closest pursuer.

“I didn’t feel like I played too badly,” said Monsalve, who dropped his last shot on the par-5 eighth. “I didn’t finish strong, but I believe I still played well mentally.”

Korean leader faltersFirst round leader Hyun Ho-rho of South Korea had six bogeys and a double bogey in ballooning to a 75 to now be two shots behind like Rico Depilo, the Davao native who fired a 70.

Lascuña, the match play champion here two years ago and who at 54 is still one of the players to beat in the circuit, also fired a 70 to tie Reymon Jaraula at 143 and be just three back with Aidric Chan, another rookie, shooting himself in the foot with a 75 to be at level 144 like three others.

Meanwhile, this is one of the best performances of the former PH Open champion Que in a long while, as he gunned down five birdies against a long bogey that came on the water-guarded par-3 17th.

The age-old, traditional layout was made even tougher by the sweltering heat, as the cut was pegged at 151 which defending champion Jonel Ababa and 2018 winner Jessie Balasabas made on the dot after rounds of 76 and 79, respectively.

Eastridge standouts Jeff Lumbo (75-147) and Gary Sales (79-151), the only amateurs in the crack field, made weekend play.