Mondilla out to end bridesmaid finishes

MANILA, Philippines — Foiled twice at Luisita and Caliraya, Clyde Mondilla hopes to get the job done at Splendido, eager to make up for his failed bids in the first two legs of this year’s Philippine Golf Tour when the ICTSI Splendido Taal Challenge fires off tomorrow in Laurel, Batangas.

Mondilla rallied from out of nowhere to force a playoff with Miguel Tabuena but lost on the second playoff hole in the ICTSI Luisita Championship last March. The 2019 Philippine Open champion also charged back in the final round of the ICTSI Caliraya Springs Championship but his closing 67 proved short to stop Zanieboy Gialon last month.

But those setbacks are expected to further toughen up the amiable Del Monte ace, who emerged triumphant last in a five-player playoff, the most crowded playoff cast in PGT history, at Pradera Verde in January 2020, heading to the invitational championship at the exacting Splendido Taal Golf Club layout.

The rest of the 60-player field, however, are also all geared up for the title chase in the 72-hole tournament, including Gialon, Michael Bibat, Jhonnel Ababa, Tony Lascuña, Joenard Rates, Ruperto Zaragosa and Reymon Jaraula, among others.