BY WAYLON GALVEZ
STA. ROSA, Laguna – Dutch Guido Van Der Valk turned in a one-under 71 and took a three-shot lead over Ira Christian Alido on a hot but windy first round in The Country Club (TCC) Invitational Wednesday at the TCC here.
The 40-year-old Van Der Valk, who is now based in Cebu, had three birdies against two bogeys in the tournament kicking off the 2020 Season of the Philippine Golf Tour.
The 18-year-old Alido also made three birdies but had a double bogey and three bogeys for a 74 while five players – including former TCC champion Tony Lascuña – are tied for third to seventh places with a 75 in the P5 million event that gives the winner a cool P1.5 million cash prize.
Van Der Valk said he was just fortunate since it is always a big plus for a player to score under par in this punishing golf course with his long and difficult fairways and windy condition.
“The score was good. Anytime you shoot under in this golf course it’s a bonus,” said Van Der Valk. “It’s just really hard, really long and windy. It’s just a big grind of five hours long.”
Van Der Valk, who won the ICTSI Club Filipino de Cebu Invitational last year, said that key to keep his form and hopefully continue with the lead is to keep it simple – hit it at the middle of the fairways and the green.
Lascuña is tied with Jay Bayron, Ropert Zaragosa, Zanieboy Gialon and Ferdie Aunzo.
American Lexus Keoninh is tied for eighth to ninth with Albin Engino with a 76, ahead of former champion Frankie Minoza, who finished with a 77 to share 10th place with reigning Philippine Open champion Clyde Mondilla with similar scores of 77.
