CLYDE MONDILLA and Reymon Jaraula know it will take far more than familiarity with the course for either of them to again dominate the International Container Terminal Services Inc. Del Monte Championship.
The homegrown aces finished 1-2 the last time the Philippine Golf Tour (PGT) visited the mountain-top layout in Bukidnon in 2023 and heading into the P3.5 million event, which fires off Tuesday, both are tempering expectations with a blend of caution, confidence and competitive hunger.
‘I’m comfortable with the course which I play often, but you can’t underestimate Del Monte,’ said Mondilla, who made a thrilling comeback two years ago with a pair of eagles on Day 1 and three closing birdies in the final round to edge Jaraula by one.
Now gunning to defend his crown, the former Philippine Open champion knows that course knowledge is only part of the equation.
‘Each round would be different, you get to learn everyday,’ he said. ‘So I make sure I’m focused each time and respect the course.’
If Mondilla is taking it methodically, Jaraula enters with quiet confidence to flip the script.
‘I’m familiar with this course and hopefully use this to my advantage,’ said the three-time PGT winner whose local roots remain a strong motivational anchor.
They are eager to put on a show at home especially after contrasting finishes in the previous leg at Marapara-Mondilla rallying late to tie for second and Jaraula settling for a share of 18th place.
But even with their intimate knowledge of Del Monte, the field is anything but predictable.
Veteran Frankie Miñoza, a living legend and Del Monte icon, returns to action after a long layoff.
Although well-versed in every inch of the course, Miñoza, too, understands that success hinges as much on form and mental fortitude as it does on familiarity.
Challenging the homegrown talents is a loaded field that includes red-hot contenders, decorated champions, rising stars and a wave of foreign threats.
Leading the charge is Keanu Jahns, who has strung together an impressive PGT run-winning twice and placing runner-up twice in six starts.
Although his three-peat hopes were derailed by Rupert Zaragosa at Marapara, the big-hitting Filipino-German remains a prime threat.
‘Same as always, take it one shot at a time and stick to my routine,’ said Jahns of his game plan. ‘Del Monte’s tighter layout may favor accuracy more than length, so I’ll adapt accordingly during the practice round.’
Zaragosa, the crafty and confident shotmaker who thrives on tree-lined courses, is another player to watch-he’s fresh off a dominant win at Marapara he sees similarities in Del Monte’s setup, a scenario he hopes to exploit.
‘My game thrives in tree-lined courses,’ Zaragosa said. ‘To win again, I need to stay committed to my process, trust my instincts and the results will follow.’
Veteran campaigners Tony Lascuña and Jhonnel Ababa, both eager to hit their stride before the final two legs of the P10.5 million Mindanao swing in Davao, are poised to strike.
Forest Hills winner Guido van der Valk, Zanieboy Gialon, Michael Bibat, Ira Alido and Nilo Salahog round out a formidable local cast.
Young guns Ryan Monsalve, Russell Bautista, Kristoffer Arevalo, Elee Bisera and John Michael Uy are also looking to make a breakthrough.
The foreign challenge is equally potent-American Collin Wheeler and a formidable Korean contingent composed of Jisung Cheon, Tae Soo Kim, Jaehyun Jung and Taewon Ha and along with Japanese standout Atsushi Ueda are all primed to spoil the locals’ homecoming.