ICTSI Negros Classic heads for dramatic finale

Princess Superal in action during the ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic. –HANDOUT PHOTO

Princess Superal and Clyde Mondilla found their rhythm when it mattered most, producing stellar rounds that reshaped the leaderboard and raised the stakes at the ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic.

Superal turned in a flawless four-under-par 66 on Wednesday, putting on a masterclass in precision and poise at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club. Her bogey-free round gave her a two-shot cushion heading into the final day of the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour event.

READ: Superal goes for back-to-back in Bacolod

“I’m happy where I’m at,” said Superal, who birdied three of the first seven holes and tapped in another on No. 16. “My driving and overall game are okay. I just need my putting to click tomorrow.”

Coming off shoulder therapy and skipping the Bacolod Challenge, Superal looks fully recovered—and focused. Her lead, however, is anything but safe.

READ: Superal ends four-year wait with playoff win over Ababa

Korean Seo Yun Kim, still haunted by a final-round collapse last week in Binitin, stayed within striking distance with a 69 for 138. She briefly tied Superal at three-under before a bogey on the 12th stalled her momentum. Still, her mindset has shifted: “I just want to play happy and not overthink.”

Lurking behind is Lois Kaye Go, steady with back-to-back 70s for 140, while Florence Bisera slipped with a triple-bogey on 11 to fall to 142.

Meanwhile, on the men’s side, Clyde Mondilla stormed back into contention with a blistering 65, highlighted by birdies on 12, 13, and 18, to catch Keanu Jahns at 135 atop the Philippine Golf Tour leaderboard.

Mondilla, returning from a brief break and a sluggish outing in Binitin, looked sharp. “Nakuha ko na uli ang feel ng greens,” he said. “I’m confident with my position.”

Jahns, who earlier appeared poised for a runaway win, saw his two-shot lead evaporate after bogeys on 3 and 6. Still, he remained upbeat. “The scores are unpredictable. I just need to stick to my game plan,” said the long-hitting ace who had back-to-back wins at Caliraya Springs and Bacolod.

With just a shot separating the top six men, including defending champ Rupert Zaragosa and Jhonnel Ababa, and a similar logjam among the women’s contenders, the tournament heads into a pivotal third round.

The Marapara course, firming up under the heat and testing players with tricky greens and swirling winds, is expected to deliver a gripping finish.