Mondilla rules ICTSI South Pacific

DAVAO CITY , Philippines – Clyde Mondilla weathered a blistering charge from a slew of pursuers and delivered a master class in clutch shot-making under pressure, producing a classy finish to capture the ICTSI South Pacific Classic crown yesterday at the South Pacific Golf Club.

With his lead under siege and the leaderboard in constant flux, the Del Monte ace regained control with a near-ace on No. 15 and a clutch birdie putt from long range on the 17th to move two shots clear of Sean Ramos with one hole to play. He could even afford to miss a four-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole, drawing gasps from the gallery, and still emerge with a two-stroke victory.

Mondilla closed with a two-under 70 for an 18-under 270 total, holding off Ramos, who mounted a determined comeback before wavering late with a 69 for 272. Angelo Que and Keanu Jahns, meanwhile, made stirring bids that kept the pressure on the leader until the closing holes.

The final margin, however, hardly reflected the tension and turbulence of the closing stretch, when five players were separated by just two strokes and every shot threatened to change the outcome.