2019 TCC Invitational: Last-hole birdie keeps Mondilla in joint lead
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Clyde Mondilla reacts after flubbing a birdie putt on No. 3
Kim, 16, bucked an opening hole mishap with a cluster of birdies to stun Mondilla and three-time champion Angelo Que with a 33 start but Mondilla rallied from three down with a strong finish at TCC’s tricky finishing holes, sparking his fightback with a birdie on No. 14 before drilling in a 10-footer on the difficult No. 18 to salvage a 70.
Kim rebounded from a bogey on No. 11 with a birdie on the 16th to keep his spot on top but the Korean upstart, who became the youngest winner on the Philippine Golf Tour at Pueblo De Oro last year, failed to ride the pressure on the last hole, hitting it short on his approach shot.
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Clyde Monidlla hits a superb wedge shot on No. 15
“I played good, my irons, short game and putting were okay,” said Mondilla, seeking to make it two-in-row here at the Tom Weiskoph-designed layout after besting a crack international field in the Solaire Philippine Open three weeks ago.
The Del Monte ace hit three birdies inside 15 feet against a lone bogey, missing eagle chances on the two par-5s. He hit a solid 3-iron second shot from 195 yards on No. 8 but misread a 10-footer then hacked a 3-wood second shot from 280 yards to within 15 feet on No. 14.
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Kim Joo Hyung hopes to blast his way to a rare TCC win
Que, seeking a record fourth crown, turned in an impressive 35 but after three straight pars at the back, the power-hitting shotmaker wavered, bogeying three of the last six, including the last for a 74 and a 222, now six shots behind.
Aussie Tim Stewart also charged back with a closing 34 to salvage a 73 for solo fifth at 224 while Juvic Pagunsan, the only other three-time winner of this event long regarded as a major championship for its prized money and select cast, continued to struggle, hobbling with a birdie-less 76 for joint sixth with first round leader Jerson Balasabas, who limped with a 78, at 226.
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Kim Joo Hyung braces for a tough last 18 holes against a fancied local ace
Kim said he struggled off the mound and vowed to stay in control of his game in the last 18 holes but refused to predict the winning score.
“The course is difficult and the hot weather adds up to the challenge. So I have to stay focused,” said Kim.