Clyde Mondilla switched to attack mode early and maintained his assault until the end, resulting in a bewildering 11-under 60, a new Philippine Golf Tour-best and course record. He established a commanding five-stroke lead over Albin Engino at the beginning of the ICTSI Forest Hills Classic held at the Nicklaus course in Antipolo on Tuesday.
Mondilla’s incredible streak of birdies in favorable conditions didn’t cease until he had completed all the available holes, including five consecutive birdies to finish the round. Only a player of his caliber could deliver such a performance on a course that punishes even the slightest errors.
“Sa backnine, tuloy-tuloy. Every hole na makikita ko, feel ko mabi-birdie ko,” said a delighted Mondilla, who started his record-breaking run with four birdies on the front nine, including the ninth hole.
He continued his impressive form with three consecutive birdies on the back nine of the tight par-71 course, which proved defenseless against Mondilla’s solid driving, superb iron play, and exceptional putting.
“My mindset was to hit the fairways and greens. After 3-4 holes, I gained confidence in my driving. Driving is key here, although some fairways are tight, I continued to attack. I hit my approach shots close to the pins, and my putting was on point, although I did miss a couple of putts,” said Mondilla, who completed the round with only 22 putts.
Luck also favored the former Philippine Open champion, who last won in the PGT Asia at Pradera Verde in 2020. His pitch shot from just above the drainage on No. 12 bounced before the green, rolled, and disappeared into the cup.
“I was just trying to hit it close to save par. Pero pag-pitch ko, pumasok. Parang araw ko talaga at bonus na talaga ‘yun. So added confidence din,” said Mondilla, who has previously set course records at Splendido Taal (63) and Calatagan (64).
The previous record at Forest Hills was 63, achieved by Tony Lascuna in 2017 and Jhonnel Ababa in the PGT Asia in 2018 under summer rules.
Although a bogey on the par-3 13th interrupted his charge, Mondilla remained determined to achieve his record-breaking feat, birdying the last five holes from within 6 feet.
Despite his significant lead, Mondilla isn’t taking any chances since there are still 54 holes remaining in the P2 million championship, which serves as the seventh leg of this year’s PGT sponsored by ICTSi.
“It’s a big advantage, so in the next three days, I’ll try to extend it (the lead), pero kailangan pa din mag-ingat,” added Mondilla.
Lost amidst Mondilla’s record-breaking birdie spree were the top contenders on the tour, although Engino managed to secure solo second place with a solid personal-best 65 that received little mention in the clubhouse conversations.
Lascuna, the winner here in 2016-17, scored a pitch-in eagle on the par-4 No. 3 and a 10-foot eagle on the par-5 No. 16, adding a birdie on the sixth to finish with a 66. However, his bogey-free round left him six strokes behind Mondilla. Dino Villanueva secured solo fourth place with four birdies on the back nine for a 67.
Rupert Zaragosa, the runaway winner of the Iloilo leg, fired a 68 to claim fifth place, while Keanu Jahns kept pace with Mondilla at the top with
