MANILA, Philippines - Focus will be on the Asian Tour regulars as the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour resumes with the ICTSI Royal Northwoods Championship beginning today at the Royal Northwoods Golf and Country Club in San Rafael, Bulacan.
Order of Merit leader Juvic Pagunsan, Aboitiz leg winner Jay Bayron and defending champion Ferdie Aunzo head the chase for the top P200,000 purse in the 54-hole tournament serving as the 11th leg of the 13-stage circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. The troika has kept themselves busy by competing on the regional tour during the month-long break on the local circuit, giving them the advantage in terms of form and confidence over those whose last tournament was the Aboitiz Invitational in Cebu last August.
Aunzo tamed the par-72 Graham Marsh-designed layout last year with a run of under-par scores although he had to weather a backnine rally by Rey Pagunsan in the final round to snatch a one-stroke victory in the event sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc.
But the former national champion has turned in a pair of so-so finishes at Del Monte and Aboitiz after finishing second at Davao last July although he is expected to toughen up in the next three days in a bid to score back-to-back victories.
Bayron, on the other hand, tries to become the first player this year to win two legs in a row while Pagunsan guns for his third title after winning the Riviera and Apo legs in runaway fashions.
Others tipped to contend for the crown are reigning RP Open champion Elmer Salvador, veteran campaigners Tony Lascuña, Danny Zarate and Robert Pactolerin, Orchard leg winner Benjie Magada, Richard Sinfuego and Antonio Asistio II and Rufino Bayron.
Rey Pagunsan, meanwhile, primed up for the main event as he led his team, which included amateur partners Anton Cabangon, Bert Hidalgo and Hadji Perez, to victory in yesterday’s traditional pro-am tournament.
They shot a 53 to beat Robert Pactolerin and teammates Arnel Arteche, Boy Ungson and Belem Arancon by one. Jun Bernis and partners Ferdie Caluza, Bons Garcia and Sim Buyco placed third with 54.
An all-weather layout, the Northwoods course has been spruced up in time for the P1 million tournament, its rolling fairways and unpredictable putting surface expected to test the field’s talent and skills.
Meanwhile, reigning national champion Clyde Mondilla and Jobim Carlos, fresh from leading RP to the championship in the Lion City Cup last Friday, head the roster of amateurs seeing action in the event. The others are Dante Becierra, Peter Villaber, Joey Huerva, Art Arbole, Paul Echavez and Fil-Am Carl Santos-Ocampo.