LIPA City, Batangas – Clyde Mondilla defeated Orlan Sumcad with a double bogey to complete a bizarre playoff victory in the ICTSI Mt. Malarayat Classic golf championship.
Both Mondilla and Sumcad forged a playoff after finishing the 72-hole event at 15-under 273.
Teeing off on the par-4, 18th hole which is guarded by a pond, Mondilla hit an errant tee shot that forced him to take a penalty drop and lay up short of the green.
Following a huge drive that left him about 170 yards to the pin, Sumcad overshot the green and went out of bounds, allowing Mondilla back into the contest.
With both players playing their fourth shots, Mondilla found the green and two-putted for double bogey.
Sumcad, on the other hand, missed the green and failed to get up and down.
“I will never forget this win. This is so sweet, winning what seemed to be a losing stand,” said Mondilla who picked up P360,000. “It also made up for my playoff loss to Jay (Bayron) at Riviera.”
It was Mondilla’s third victory in the tour this season. He foiled Jobim Carlos on the first sudden death hole in the Manila Masters at Eastridge then won in Calatagan the following week last May.
However, Mondilla struggled in the next five tournaments. In his last two outing, he withdrew at Aboitiz Invitational because of a sore back and lost to Bayron in a playoff at ICTSI Riviera Classic two weeks ago.
It was a sorry loss for Sumcad who caught up with Mondilla with a solid 66. A long birdie on No. 16 enabled Sumcad to tie Mondilla.
Starting the day with a one-shot lead, Mondilla closed out with a 67.
Sumcad settled for P250,000 as the tour, organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., heads into its last three legs.
Bayron, winner of the last two legs at Aboitiz Invitational at Wack Wack and Riviera, ended up third at 279 after a bogey-free 70. He earned P140,000.
Tony Lascuña, with four titles under his belt, made a final round charge, going four-under after 13 but reeled back with a bogey on No. 16 to settle for solo fourth at 280 after a 68. He pocketed P115,000.
Marvin Dumandan stumbled with a 73, dropping to fifth at 281 while Jhonnel Ababa shot a 70 to tie Dutch Guido Van der Valk (72) at sixth at 283.
Anthony Fernando also rallied with a 68 to tie Mars Pucay, who fired a 71, at eighth at 284 while Zanieboy Gialon shot a 70 and wound up 10th at 285 in the event backed by Custom Clubmakers, adidas, KZG, Summit Mineral Water, Srixon, Pacsports, TaylorMade, Sharp and Champion.
