Van der Valk endures Faldo’s wrath, surges ahead

GEN. TRIAS, Cavite, Philippines — Veteran Guido van der Valk leaned on his wealth of experience to navigate the wind-battered and unforgiving Faldo course, carding a hard-earned 69 to seize control after another grueling day in the ICTSI Eagle Ridge Championship here.

The Manila-based Dutchman propelled himself halfway toward a mission of redemption, aiming to bounce back from a heartbreaking playoff defeat in The Country Club Invitational last January.

From joint 16th and seven strokes behind, the two-time TCC Invitational champion surged to the top of the leaderboard with a two-over 146 total.

A group of young challengers, however, stayed well within striking distance at 147, ensuring a tense battle ahead in the P2-million championship organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. and sponsored by ICTSI.

Lloyd Go, who matched par 72, and Sean Ramos and Hyun Ho Rho, who fired 73s, credited their improved putting for keeping them in the hunt in the second leg of the 10-stage Philippine Golf Tour.

In women’s play, Mafy Singson emerged on top despite carding a wind-blown 74.

However, lurking just a few strokes behind are a pair of battle-hardened campaigners in Chihiro Ikeda and Marvi Monsalve, setting the stage for a frantic and unpredictable finish.

Starting the day four shots behind Gretchen Villacencio in joint fourth, Singson played steady through 12 holes, mixing one birdie and one bogey, before yielding shots on Nos. 13 and 15.

With the leaderboard constantly shifting in every gust, Singson managed to wrest the lead anew after Villacencio and Kayla Nocum stumbled late in their rounds.

Singson’s 10-over 154 aggregate put her a shot ahead of Ikeda and two clear of Monsalve, moving her closer to a second LPGT victory after bagging her maiden crown at Valley Golf Club last year.