MANILA, Philippines - Jay Bayron, Angelo Que, Juvic Pagunsan and Frankie Miñoza all confirmed their participation in this week’s ICTSI-Orchard Golf Championship, ensuring a battle royal among the country’s leading players in the richest leg on the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour offering a whopping P2.5 million in total prize money.
The four, along with a host of others, will be coming into the 54-hole event in top form, having competed in the just-concluded ICTSI-Philippine Open, making it a wide-open battle for top honors in the third leg of the local circuit organized by Philippine Golf Tournaments, Inc.
Seven foreign entries also in the fold, are Scot Graeme Stewart, Aussie Matt Docking, Nick Pugh of England, Nathan Robinett, Uhno Park and Matt Docking of Australia, Andy Andrews and Chris Davis.
Benjie Magada nipped Tony Lascuña in the second playoff hole to win the Orchard leg last year but the former’s form took a downswing in the succeeding legs and struggled the rest of the season, finishing No. in the ICTSI-PGT Order of Merit.
Bayron, 32, emerged the top player last year, spoiling Pagunsan’s bid with a final leg victory at ICTSI-Canlubang and is tipped to be among the favorites in the upcoming tournament backed by MJ Carr Golf Management, Inc., Srixon, Callaway and Dynamic Sports.
Teener Miguel Tabuena and Artemio Murakami are also raring to atone for their missed cut stints in the Phl Open, along with Cassius Casas, Marvin Dumandan, Gerald Rosales, Jhonnel Ababa and Mhark Fernando.
Meanwhile, the fourth leg will be held June 1-3 at Eastridge Golf Club in Binangonan, Rizal for the ICTSI Eastrridge Classic before Tagaytay Midlands hosts a local leg for the first time on June 22-24 for the ICTSI Midlands Challenge.
In between on June 15-18, the local men of the tournament will again compete in the ICTSI Mt. Malarayat Championship at Mt. Malarayat in Lipa, Batangas.
The other legs of the ICTSI-PGT will be held in Bacolod (July 13-15), Iloilo (July 20-22), Cebu (Aug. 3-5), Apo in Davao (Aug. 17-19), Del Monte in Bukidnon (Aug. 24-26), Eagle Ridge or Riviera (Sept. 14-16), Mimosa (Oct. 19-21), Manila Southwoods (Oct. 26-28), Canlubang (Nov. 9-11), Wack Wack (Nov. 13-15) and Sta. Elena.