Three target No. 2 in ICTSI Riviera Classic

SILANG, Cavite, Philippines — Local aces Clyde Mondilla and Jerson Balasabas and Aussie David Gleeson set out with personal goals of scoring back-to-back feats while the rest of the elite international field go all out to foil their bids, guaranteeing a spirited battle in today’s start of the ICTSI Riviera Classic at Riviera’s Langer course here today.

Mondilla skipped yesterday’s traditional pro-am to further hone up for the $100,000 championship he won by two over Michael Bibat and Korean amateur Tom Kim last year. But the reigning Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit champion has struggled at the start of the season, leading to a string of forgettable finishes, including a 41st place effort in last week’s Philippine Masters.

But he expressed confidence of a big rebound this week, so do the rest of the 121-player cast, including Balasabas, who is seeking a follow-up to his playoff win over Dutch Van der Valk at Masters, and Gleeson, who ruled the kickoff leg of the second PGT Asia at Luisita last month.

“I need more practice to bring back my game. But I feel good of my chances this week. Laban lang tayo,” said Mondilla, who racked up four victories in a breakout season last year.

Balasabas also brims with confidence following his breakthrough at Villamor but expects a different kind of challenge on the long, hazard-laden layout with sleek putting surface and a talent-laden field.

“The course is long and the greens are tough and fast. While we had to avoid getting stymied at Villamor, here, we have to watch out for the penalties with so many hazards coming into play in most holes,” said Balasabas.

“But I’m looking forward to scoring back-to-back (wins). I know I can score here although the field is strong,” he added.