GEN. TRIAS, Cavite – Guido van der Valk endured a grueling back-nine battle that tested every contender’s mental toughness but held onto his lead, maintaining a one-stroke edge despite carding a 75 in the third round of the ICTSI Eagle Ridge Championship on Wednesday.
On a wind-swept and unpredictable Faldo course, four bogeys in a birdie-less finish nearly cost the Dutchman his position at the top. However, with rivals also struggling against the challenging conditions and relentless heat, van der Valk remained ahead in the PHP2 million tournament organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.
“Whew, I’m tired,” he said, slumping into his chair after a physically and mentally exhausting round that threatened to shake up the leaderboard but ultimately saw little movement.
Van der Valk holds a 54-hole aggregate of 221, with Sean Ramos trailing by just one stroke at 222 after also posting a three-over round. Lloyd Go sits another stroke back at 223 following a 76.
While the leaderboard stayed mostly intact, Angelo Que surged into contention, setting the stage for a dramatic finish. The Pradera Verde leg winner clawed his way into the title hunt with a gutsy 72, fueled by early birdies and an eagle on the par-5 No. 12. A clean finish could have put him in a tie with van der Valk, but late bogeys on Nos. 16 and 17 left him two shots behind at 223, tied with Go.
Despite the setback, Que’s momentum makes him a formidable threat heading into the final round, where nerves, resilience and a touch of luck will determine the champion.
With the course proving unforgiving even to well-struck shots, van der Valk knows a steady game alone may not be enough to seal the win.
“If I can just hit it solid tomorrow, it would be okay,” he said. “But the problem is, you can hit good shots and still make bogeys. In the end, it’s about who plays best – and who gets lucky.”
Ramos, chasing his second PGT title after his Lakewood breakthrough last year, is bracing for the pressure of the final 18 holes.
“You can’t avoid the pressure, but I’ll just try to hit fairways and greens and enjoy the moment,” he said.
Despite an early spark with two birdies in the first four holes, bogeys at Nos. 13, 15 and 16 cost him a share of the lead.
Go, also seeking his second PGT trophy after his Palos Verdes win, is counting on a cleaner round to stay in contention. He lamented a costly double bogey on No. 11 but remains confident that an even-par finish could be enough to claim the PHP360,000 top prize.
“Whoever stays patient and avoids big mistakes will win,” Go predicted. “Tomorrow, I’ll aim for even par and see if that’s enough.”
Among the contenders, Que’s momentum could be the biggest factor in the final-day battle. Fresh off a dominant Pradera Verde victory, the three-time Asian Tour winner is within striking distance of another title.
“Winning back-to-back is always nice. So no pressure, I’ll just play my game,” Que said.
Despite making four bogeys, he remains confident in his ability to handle the conditions and stay in the mix.
“I didn’t hit bad shots today, but I got unlucky on four holes,” he said. “If I keep doing what I’ve been doing, I think I still have a chance.”
Young Korean PGT Q-School topnotcher Jaehyun Jung stayed in contention with a determined 73 for a 224, just three strokes off the lead. Meanwhile, Jeffren Lumbo remained steady despite a 76, tying for sixth at 226 alongside Clyde Mondilla, who also carded a four-over round.
Keanu Jahns delivered one of the day’s best scores with a 71, tying Tony Lascuña, who struggled with a 76, for eighth place at 228. Aidric Chan managed a one-under round to join Russell Bautista (74), Albin Engino (75) and Josh Jorge (75) in 10th place at 229.
With just a few strokes separating the top contenders and the Faldo course proving as unpredictable as ever, the final round promises a high-pressure showdown where anything can happen.
From van der Valk’s bid to hold on, to Ramos and Go’s pursuit of a second title, and Que’s charge for back-to-back victories, the championship will likely come down to who can capitalize on key moments and maybe – just maybe – get a lucky break.
One thing is certain – expect a thrilling finish in this second leg of the circuit sponsored by ICTSI and backed by the PGT’s official sports apparel, Kampfortis Golf.