STA. ROSA, Laguna – Randy Garalde sizzled in the rain and delivered the biggest shock of opening day, scoring a commanding 7&5 victory over third seed Fidel Concepcion to crash the party of the tournament favorites at the start of the ICTSI The Country Club Invitational at the TCC here on Tuesday, Nov. 25.
Ranked 30th in the 32-man field, Garalde walked into the match with nothing to lose and everything to gain – yet walked out as the day’s most stunning giant-killer.
Playing pressure-free amid relentless drizzle and rain at the demanding TCC layout, he produced one of the cleanest rounds of his career – three birdies, several clutch par saves, and a flawless bogey-free card through 13 holes.
“My driving, short game and putting were all good. I also saved a lot of pars, hit three birdies and no bogeys,” said Garalde, who bowed out in the very first round last year after falling to Jay Bayron.
“I just got lucky. Basta sinabi mong TCC, nasa isip na namin na it’s a tough course, typically mahirap. But I just played my game and enjoyed under the rain,” said Garalde.
His clinical performance not only dismantled the fancied Concepcion – fresh from a breakthrough win at Apo and a No. 3 finish in the Order of Merit – but also propelled Garalde into a Round-of-16 showdown with Gabriel Manotoc, who earlier escaped Dino Villanueva in a tense 1-up duel.
Meanwhile, top seed Angelo Que showed exactly why he rules this year’s Order of Merit race.
Still bothered by stomach issues that forced him to withdraw from last week’s Valley Golf Challenge finale, Que mustered the composure of a champion, shaking off an early push from Jerson Balasabas before taking control at the back nine.
Hole after hole, the three-time Asian Tour winner steadily built a decisive lead until Balasabas retired after 14 holes, sealing Que’s 4-up victory.
Out to cap his season with another highlight after clinching his first-ever OOM crown on a sweep of the Philippine Golf Tour’s first two legs at Pradera Verde and Eagle Ridge and a couple of runner-up finishes, Que advanced to a second-round duel with Ryan Monsalve, who needed 21 holes to finally eliminate last year’s surprise champion Arnold Villacencio.
Elsewhere, No. 2 seed Keanu Jahns, past OOM winner Jhonnel Ababa, two-time TCC Invitational titlist Guido van der Valk, and veteran star Tony Lascuña all advanced in contrasting fashion.
But on a day drenched with weather-driven drama, it was Garalde’s fearless brilliance and Que’s steady dominance that defined the tournament’s opening salvos.
Jahns, the tour’s back-to-back champion at Caliraya Springs and Bacolod, turned back Kristoffer Arevalo, 2&1, to secure a Last 16 duel with Ababa, who imposed his will early and dismissed Zanieboy Gialon, 5&4, while van der Valk also advanced with a 4&3 rout of Rico Depilo for a duel with Atsushi Ueda, who delivered the day’s first emphatic result – a commanding 6&5 romp over Elee Bisera.
“I won because I hit so many birdies,” said Ueda, who buried birdies on Nos. 3, 4, 10 and 13 to overwhelm Bisera. “TCC is long and a tough course, but I got so many birdies – that’s why I won.”
At No. 5, Rupert Zaragosa survived a tense encounter, relying on his experience and composure to edge Francis Morilla on the 19th hole for a showdown with Michael Bibat, who likewise needed an extra hole to oust Tae Soo Kim.
In other matches, Russell Bautista stamped his dominance over veteran Mars Pucay, 5&4, earning a Last 16 meeting with seasoned campaigner Lascuña, who turned back the clock with a vintage 6&5 dismantling of James Ryan Lam.
“Maganda ang palo pero masama ang drive ng kalaban kaya nagka-kumpyansa ako,” said Lascuña, who described how his early ball-striking and his opponent’s miscues allowed him to seize momentum quickly.
“Mahaba ang course para sa akin. Maganda ang green. Laro lang at enjoy – kung ibigay, eh ‘di maganda. Lahat naman magagaling, pero ako, focus lang,” added the multi-titled pro, eager to make amends after being eliminated in the first round last year by Depilo.
Meanwhile, Clyde Mondilla fended off Marvin Dumandan, 3&1, to arrange a showdown with South Pacific leg champion Jeffren Lumbo, who edged Nilo Salahog, 2&1.
Collin Wheeler also booked his place in the Last 16 with a 2&1 win over Chonkoo Kang, setting up a clash with Reymon Jaraula, who outlasted Gerald Rosales in a tight 2&1 finish.
