GUIDO Van der Valk rode on a near-impeccable frontside charge to cushion the impact of a faltering finish but still won by five over Lloyd Go with a 73 as the rest succumbed in stifling heat and high winds to retain The Country Club (TCC) Invitational crown Friday in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

Not even a backside 40 that could easily ruin one's title drive in big-time championships could stymie Van der Valk's claim to a second straight championship in the Philippine Golf Tour's centerpiece event as he built too much of a buffer — eight shots over Go — with a frontside, tournament-best 33 spiked by four birdies against a bogey.

Like the Dutchman, the rest failed to hurdle TCC's exacting backside, as difficult pin placements made the stretch run chase more daunting and challenging.

That paved the way for Van der Valk's easy win as he assembled a six-over 294 total, including a first round 73 and a couple of 74s, and pocketed the record P2 million purse in four days of hard work and tests after emerging the best in what had been billed as the Don Pocholo Razon Memorial Cup for the second straight time.

'It's an honor to win this tournament twice. It's very special to win back-to-back, and I'm super happy that I managed to do it,' said Van der Valk, who became only the second player to score a repeat in 16 editions of the annual championship.

There were no TCC Invitationals in 2015-16 and 2021-22.

'I played really good after nine holes, but I struggled a little bit at the back but I had enough of a buffer to still be comfortable,' added Van der Valk. 'I'm thrilled to have done this again, and I look forward to defending my title next year.'