Mondilla fires 71 in strong winds, up by 1

DASMARINAS, Cavite, Philippines – Clyde Mondilla battled through early windy play and saved a 71 then watched his rivals flounder in windier condition in the afternoon to seize a one-stroke lead over Zanieboy Gialon and two other local aces midway through the $60,000 ICTSI Orchard Golf Championship at the Orchard’s Player course here yesterday.

Charging home with an eagle-aided 68 in one of the late flights Wednesday to force a four-way tie for the lead with Frankie Miñoza, Ira Alido and American John Catlin, Mondilla rebounded from two early bogeys at the back with four birdies inside eight feet against one more bogey on No. 5 for a 35-36 card that proved enough to shove him on top at five-under 139.

“This time I survived,” said Mondilla, who missed the cut at the Solaire Philippine Open and at the ICTSI Manila Masters this year. “Hopefully, I’ll keep my game going and possibly play better the last two rounds.”

Miñoza, Alido and Catlin failed to match Mondilla’s output with over-par rounds in exacting condition with the wind blowing from all directions, sending the scores soaring. But the diminutive Gialon bucked the odds and tough pin placements and put in a steady second 70 and loomed large at 140 heading to the final 36 holes of the event sponsored by ICTSI and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

Elmer Salvador and Jay Bayron, two veterans so familiar with this kind of condition, also moved into contention with late charge with the former, who reigned at the windy Splendido Classic last year, birdying three of the last nine holes at the front to tie Gialon at second with another 70.

Bayron, back-to-back winner in Aboitiz Invitational at Wack Wack and at the wind-swept Riviera Classic last year, also came through with three birdies in the last 10 holes to fire a 69 and force a three-way tie at second.

American William Cannon bogeyed the par-5 18th and settled for a 72 for solo fifth 142 while Miñoza, who impressed the field with his opening 68, wavered with five bogeys in a seven-hole stretch from No. 10 but holed out with an eagle to save a 75 for a 143 in a tie with Catlin, Thai Gunn Charoenkul and Joenard Rates.

“I continue to struggle with my putting but at least I made it to the final 36 holes,” said Miñoza, who beat Miguel Tabuena in a five-hole playoff in Bacolod last year.