KOREAN Minwook Gwon displays his trophy.
STA. ROSA, Laguna – Minwook Gwon clinched The Country Club Invitational title on his first attempt, securing victory with a clutch par in sudden death after Guido van der Valk faltered down the stretch on Friday at the TCC course here.
The 23-year-old Korean, who bogeyed the demanding 18th hole in regulation, carded the day’s best round with a 69. But his fortunes turned when van der Valk, vying for a record-tying feat, struggled with a series of costly errors and limped to a 74, forcing a sudden death after both players finished at three-over 291.
In the playoff, Gwon safely found the center of the green on their return to No. 18 and two-putted for par. Meanwhile, van der Valk’s approach shot caught a flyer and found the water behind the green.
After taking a penalty drop on the fringe, he settled for a bogey, allowing Gwon to seal his maiden professional victory.
“I really wanted to win my first pro tournament. I feel great that I did it in the biggest event on the Philippine Golf Tour,” said Gwon, who developed his game as an eight-year-old at Riviera Golf Club in Silang.
The P6 million championship featured an elite 30-player field, including past TCC Invitational winners and top finishers on the Order of Merit. Gwon took home P2 million, while Van der Valk settled for the P1 million runner-up prize.
Reymon Jaraula placed third at 293 after an even-par 72, earning P540,000. LJ Go shot a 76 for a 295 total, finishing fourth with P408,000, while Japan’s Kakeru Ozeki placed fifth at 296 after a 72, taking home P288,000. Aidric Chan (76) and Clyde Mondilla (77) shared sixth at 297.
For Van der Valk, the loss was especially bittersweet as he played while mourning the recent passing of his father, Wouter, just two weeks prior.
He stumbled with a double bogey, throwing the tournament wide open. Instead of celebrating a record-tying victory, the Dutchman watched as fate handed Gwon the opportunity of a lifetime – one that he seized with unwavering composure.