MANILA, Philippines - Unlike last year, Juvic Pagunsan braces for a tougher challenge this time with a host of ace shotmakers out to foil his title-retention bid in the P1 million ICTSI Apo Golf Invitational beginning today at the Apo Golf and Country Club in Davao.
Pagunsan used a near-flawless six-under par 66 in the first round to dominate the field and was never threatened en route a six-shot romp over Artemio Murakami and Jerome Delariarte in last year’s edition of the event at the quaint Apo layout.
“I think I can still win here again. I’ll try my very best although I’m not in my best shape lately,” said Pagunsan in Filipino.
The smooth-swinging Bacolod pro actually turned in a runner-up effort in the ICTSI Mt. Malarayat Classic last month but struggled to finish in joint 11th in the ICTSI Orchard Golf Championship topped by Benjie Magada at The Orchard two weeks ago.
Magada heads the long list of challengers with the long-hitting pro also launching his own bid –a to become the first player to score back-to-back wins on the circuit sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc.
“It will be tough (to win again), especially against the homegrown talents,” said Magada in Filipino. “But I’ll try to put myself in contention early and hope for the best.”
The best is also yet to come for Angelo Que, who joined Pagunsan in 11th place at Orchard following a brief campaign on the European Tour but is expected to explode this week in the event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.
But focus will be on the homegrown bets, tipped to finally flash their familiarity with the par-72 with tight fairways and unpredictable putting surface after getting humbled by Pagunsan last year in the event backed by byMJ Carr Golf Management, Jaguar, Land Rover, Studio 23, Balls TV, Srixon/Cleveland Golf, Callaway Golf, Odyssey and Golf Punk and media partners Business Mirror, Inquirer Golf Monthly, A Round of Golf, Pinoygolfer.com and Omnisource.
They include reigning RP Open champion Elmer Salvador, Asian Tour campaigners Tony Lascuna, Marvin Dumandan and Jay Bayron.