by Waylon Galvez
STA. ROSA, Laguna – Philippine Open champion Clyde Mondilla birdied the 18th hole for a two-under 70 and kept his share of the lead with Korean teenager Kim Joo Hyung going into the final round of the 2019 Don Pocholo Razon Memorial Cup yesterday at The Country Club here.
The 24-year-old Mondilla pumped his fist in delight when he made his birdie putt from 10 feet while the Korean shook his head in disappointment after stumbling with a bogey that saw him blow away his two-shot lead going into the final hole.
Clyde Mondilla (MB photo | Czar Dancel)
“Like in the first two rounds, I just played my game, continued with my game plan. Good thing I didn’t make too many mistakes as compared in the first two days,” said Mondilla.
“So for me, I’ll just do the same tomorrow,” added Mondilla.
Mondilla and Kim will enter today’s final round enjoying a four-shot lead over Jahns Keanu (71) after posting three-day aggregates of 216.
Down by six was three-time champion Angelo Que who shot a 72 (222) while two strokes farther back was Australian Tim Stewart who carded a 73.
Tied for sixth and seventh were former two-time winner Juvic Pagunsan (76) and Jerson Balasabas (78) at 226, followed by Guido Van Der Valk of the Netherlands at eighth with 227 after a 73.
Kim had an opportunity to grab solo lead through three days of action, but his second shot on the final hole landed 50 yards away from the pin and settled for a two-putt.
“From there I can’t do anything, so a bogey was still good,” said Kim, who turned professional a year back and won his first and so far only title in Pueblo de Oro in Cagayan de Oro – Philippine Golf Tour (PGT) event – last year.
“To be honest I played another pretty solid round. Today was a lot easier with regards to the wind, but even though it’s not as windy, it’s still hard. I just try to keep tagging along (with Mondilla),” added Kim, who also bogeyed on 1 and 11, while his five birdies were on 2, 3, 5, 9 and 16.
Expect an exciting final round as the champions gets the handsome top purse of P1.5 million in the event being held in honor of ICTSI chairman Ricky Razon’s father Don Pocholo Razon, the founder of the ICTSI.
Kim said his approach is not to think too much about the championship, but it’s a thrill for him to go up again against Mondilla.
“It’s like a ‘David versus Goliath’ match,” said Kim. “Because he hits more than 50 yards longer than me. But if I can play like today, well whatever happens, happens,” said Kim.