STA. ROSA, Laguna – Clyde Mondilla seized control of the TCC Invitational on Wednesday in a dramatic display of grit and resilience, bucking a wobbly start to card a 73 and emerge as the halfway leader in the P6-million championship.
The unforgiving layout of The Country Club, notorious for its challenging design, continued to test the elite field, punishing mistakes and rewarding precision.
Mondilla, who struggled with three bogeys against a birdie in the first 10 holes, turned his day around with a crucial birdie on No. 15. He parred the rest of the way to finish the round with a one-over card and a 36-hole aggregate of 143.
The conditions at TCC were tough, with cool breezes and occasional drizzle adding to the complexity of the course. It was a day that saw constant movement on the leaderboard, as players faced the punishing nature of the layout.
Mondilla’s steady play, especially in the back nine, helped the golfer claim a two-stroke lead over a strong pack, including erstwhile co-leader LJ Go, who had a tough finish with a 76, and Aidric Chan, who posted a 74.
“I’m glad I was able to recover, especially since I wasn’t hitting it very well,” said Mondilla, reflecting on his effort to stay in the hunt for a breakthrough win on the Philippine Golf Tour’s flagship tournament.
Meanwhile, Jay Bayron and Reymon Jaraula produced the day’s best scores of 71 to join Go and Chan in a four-way tie for second at 145.
Despite the difficulties, Mondilla's ability to stay calm and adapt under pressure allowed him to finish ahead at a pivotal point in the tournament put up by ICTSI chairman and CEO Ricky Razon in memory of his father and ICTSI founder Don Pocholo Razon.
Go, who had shared the lead with Dino Villanueva after 18 holes with a 69, appeared to be in control early in the second round, bouncing back from a bogey-bogey start with back-to-back birdies on Nos. 8 and 9.
But the pressure of TCC’s difficult holes caught up with him, and he struggled down the stretch with four bogeys in the last six holes.
Mondilla, who was in solo third place after the first round, could not make significant gains early on but capitalized on his strong back nine. His birdie on No. 15 and the struggles of others pushed him into a two-stroke lead heading into the final two rounds, a margin that felt even more substantial on a course as brutal and demanding as TCC.
"On this course, it’s not really over even on the final three holes," said Mondilla. "The course can turn on you at any time."
As is often the case at TCC, no lead is ever safe. The course’s unpredictable nature continued to wreak havoc on the field, as seasoned players like Guido van der Valk, a two-time champion, salvaged a 72 to stay in the mix, grabbing solo sixth place at 147.
Kakeru Ozeki also moved into contention with a gritty 72, catching Keanu Jahns and Nilo Salahog, who carded 74 and 75, respectively, at 148, while Minwook Gwon faltered with a 78 after an impressive 71 to slip to 10th spot at 149.
The unpredictability of the course was evident as three-time winner Angelo Que bogeyed three of the last four holes to end up with a 78, tumbling to joint 11th at 151 with Albin Engino and Jhonnel Ababa, who shot 74 and 77, respectively.
Defending champion Tony Lascuña, also struggling with a double bogey on No. 17, finished with a 75, settling at 152 in joint 14th with first-round co-leader Dino Villanueva, who shot himself in the foot with an 83, Fidel Concepcion, who posted a gutsy 72, Lakewood leg winner Sean Ramos, who fought back with a 75, Hyun Ho Rho, who put in a second 76.
The second round highlighted the volatility of TCC layout, where a single mistake can dramatically alter the course of the tournament. Mondilla’s ability to recover from a tough start and navigate the challenges of the course has given him a solid lead, but as the tournament progresses, the conditions will continue to test even the most seasoned competitors.