Canlubang, Laguna— As the winds slowed down, cautious Filipino golfer Clyde Mondilla found his form and grabbed the lead in Round 3 of the Solaire Philippine Open Golf Tournament 2019 at the The Country Club course in here.
Mondilla quickly recovered from a bogey in the first hole with four birdies to finish with a 3-under par 69 at the end of 18 holes.
The 25-year-old Mondilla tallied a 215 to overtake two-day leader Tawit Polthai, who faltered with four of six bogeys in the first nine holes.
Despite his error-prone game, Polthai recovered with two par scores in the last two holes to settle for a four over par 76 and a 219 aggregate in second place.
“Pace, pace lang ako nu’ng dalawang araw. Hindi ko akalain na magli-leader ako ngayon,” said Mondilla.
Thai golfers Nirun Sae-Ueng and Namchok Tantiphokakul were third and fourth, respectively, with a total of 220, followed by Chuenboomgam Chonlatit in fifth (221).
Mondilla almost ruined his day when he bogeyed the first hole as he mis-drove his first shot, with the ball veering to the right.
But after he recovered with a six-foot birdie in the second hole, Mondilla said his confidence quickly returned.
His game picked up following a seven-foot birdie in the seventh hole and a short putt from the fringe in the 14th.
A 15-foot birdie on the 17th was something that gave Mondilla reason to be more confident.
“Pinalapit ko lang, pumasok na,” added Mondilla.
Mondilla said the winds were not that strong since Thursday. But a cautious stance allowed him to enjoy his game.
Filipino bet Angelo Que is now in sixth at 222, with Fil-American Nicolas who came through with a 73 while Thai Poom Saksansin pooled a 223 after a 74 and compatriot Kasidit Lepkurte turned in a 73 for a 224 in a tie with young Korean and PGT leg winner Kim Joo Hyung, who rallied with a backside 34 for a 74, and Macedonia’s Peter Stojanovski, who limped with a 78.
The event is backed by ICTSI, PLDT Enterprise, Meralco, BDO and PGT Asia official apparel Pin High.