STA. ROSA, Laguna – Dino Villanueva and LJ Go surged to the top of the leaderboard at The Country Club Invitational on Tuesday with determined three-under 69s produced in contrasting fashion in blustery conditions, carving out a one-stroke lead over Clyde Mondilla at the TCC course here on Tuesday.
While Villanueva leveraged a strong frontside performance to offset a shaky back nine in demanding conditions, Go used a brilliant windup on one of the country’s toughest finishing holes to get a share of the lead in the P6-million championship featuring the country’s finest.
But Mondilla, a former Philippine Open champion here, carded a 70, while Aidric Chan and Minwook Gwon finished tied for fourth with 71s, and Angelo Que, Ryan Monsalve and Nilo Salahog matched 73s, keeping the leaderboard tightly packed as a mix of veterans, unheralded players and emerging stars stayed within striking distance.
Meanwhile, two-time champion Guido van der Valk hobbled with a birdle-less 75 while defending champion Tony Lascuña struggled after a shaky frontside 40, finishing with a 77 to drop eight strokes behind the joint leaders.
Starting strong in the calmer morning conditions, Villanueva capitalized with a rare birdie streak, highlighted by an exceptional effort on the notoriously challenging par-4 No. 5. Known for its water hazards, deceptive slopes, and a strategically placed tree obscuring parts of the green, the fifth hole often baffles even the most seasoned golfers.
Villanueva defied the odds, sinking a birdie after a pinpoint 4-iron approach shot from 194 yards landed just eight feet from the cup.
“I hit a good drive and a superb low-flight 4-iron shot to position myself perfectly on the green,” said Villanueva, who credited his success to solid driving and precise putting.
"Almost all of my tee shots were good, but my putting was the best," he added, highlighting his stellar short game.
Despite his strong start, Villanueva lamented two late bogeys on Nos. 13 and 14, which he attributed to poor club selection.
“Those mistakes cost me what could have been an even better opening round,” added Villanueva, who is still chasing his first major title after more than a decade as a professional.
In contrast, Go stayed patient in a late tee-off then leaned on his iron play and putting to pull ahead with Villanueva, snapping a two-birdie, two-bogey card after 12 holes with birdies on Nos. 14, 16 and 18.
“You have to be patient here since it’s a very tough course where making a bogey is so easy,” said Go. “Making birdies in the closing holes was a bonus and it’s my best round on this course, so I’m really happy.”
Mondilla, the 2019 Philippine Open winner, played a steady front nine with three birdies and one bogey but managed only an even-par back nine. He remains in solid contention, seeking to add The Country Club Invitational trophy to his already impressive collection.
Gwon also threatened the lead late in the round. As Villanueva faltered on the back nine, Gwon birdied the par-5 14th to briefly take control. However, three closing bogeys at some of Asia’s toughest finishing holes left him tied for third.
“TCC is long and tough, especially in the wind. It’s really difficult to hit greens, and I bogeyed the last three holes,” said Gwon. “Still, I’m happy with my score and hope to stay consistent tomorrow.”
Playing in his first TCC Invitational, Gwon tempered his expectations coming into the week after a strong showing in Malaysia last week. “I’m just giving my best each day. It’s a hard course, but I’ll keep trying,” he said.
Like Go, Chan closed out with a flourish to stay in the mix, birdying two of the last five holes to force a tie with Gwon even as three-time champion Que missed joining them at fourth with a last-hole mishap.
As the tournament progresses, the leaderboard remains open, with veteran names and rising stars poised to make a push. With challenging conditions forecasted and The Country Club continuing to test players, the opening round set the stage for an unpredictable battle ahead.