GUIDO van der Valk makes a move.
STA. ROSA, Laguna – It was a steady and strategic performance by Guido van der Valk on Thursday, as the seasoned campaigner fired a two-under-par 70, showcasing an eagle and a crucial birdie putt to take control of the third round of The Country Club Invitational.
Starting the day four strokes behind the leaders, van der Valk vaulted to the top with a one-over 217, overtaking the previous co-leader, LJ Go, who stumbled in the final holes with two bogeys and a 74, settling at 219.
Clyde Mondilla, who led at the halfway mark, made a strong push with a birdie on the par-5 second, but a disastrous triple bogey followed by another bogey at No. 4 put his charge on hold.
Though he briefly tied van der Valk after a birdie on No. 10, a costly double-bogey on No. 16 dashed his chances. A final misstep left Mondilla with a 77, dropping him to third at 220, three shots back.
The 45-year-old Dutchman, who celebrated his birthday just days ago, now stands poised to capture a third TCC Invitational title – a feat he’s already achieved twice, including a five-stroke victory over Go in 2023 and a one-shot win over Mondilla in 2020.
Yet, despite the two-stroke cushion, van der Valk remains cautious, acknowledging the fierce competition.
“This golf course is hard to conquer,” said van der Valk, eyes focused on the road ahead. “Mistakes come easy, and birdies are a real challenge. I’ve been fortunate to win here twice, but it’s not a guarantee. There’s too much talent in this field.”
The turning point in van der Valk’s round came on the par-5 10th hole, when his 4-iron second shot from 220 yards reached the green but rolled to the back. He then chipped in for an eagle – a moment that helped vault him into the lead.
“It wasn’t the hardest chip, but once it landed, I had a feeling it could go in. Luckily, it did,” he said with a smile.
Despite a bogey on No. 15, van der Valk regained the advantage with a sensational 25-foot birdie putt on the par-3 17th. The ball looked like it was going to miss, but a slight break brought it into the hole, sending van der Valk back to the top spot.
The chase behind him remains tight. Go, who managed two birdies on the front nine, failed to capitalize on the back nine, with two more bogeys hindering his charge.
Other contenders include Aidric Chan and Reymon Jaraula, who both carded 76 to sit at 221, four off the lead, while Minwook Gwon (73) and Jay Bayron (77) are just one stroke behind at 222.