Pagunsan eyes No. 3 in Eastridge Classic

Manila, Philippines - In-form Juvic Pagunsan goes for his third victory in four starts on theICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour as he leads the field in the P1 million ICTSI Eastridge Classic which begins June 1 at the Eastridge Golf Club in Binangonan, Rizal.

Pagunsan closed out with record nine-under par 63 at The Orchard’s Palmer Course to win by five over Elmer Salvador in the ICTSI Orchard Golf Championship two weeks ago, his second title romp after scoring an equally convincing victory in the circuit’s kickoff leg at Royal Northwoods last March.

The win in the P2.5 million event, the richest leg so far in the four-year circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., netted Pagunsan P450,000, hiking his earnings to P650,000 for the Order of Merit lead in the early going of this year’s 16-leg circuit.

Salvador is in second with P345,000 earnings while Tony Lascuña posted winnings of P249,000 followed by Orlan Sumcad (P246,000), Angelo Que (P235,500), Frankie Miñoza (P187,500), Jay Bayron (P169,250), Gerald Rosales (P128,500), Anthony Fernando (P122,500) and Jhonnel Ababa (P117,500.

But this week’s battle for the top P200,000 is expected to be tight with the par-71 Eastridge layout, hosting a PGT leg for the first time, posing a different kind of the challenge for the touring pros and amateurs alike.

Situated on a long stretch of mountain ridges, rolling hills and ravines, Eastridge is tipped to test not only the field’s shotmaking skills and talent but also their mental toughness especially in the presence of the wind.

The leading contenders get their chance to test the course in the traditional pro-am tournament on May 31. Joining them are officials and guests of the sponsoring International Container Terminal Services, Inc., the PGTI and the event’s chief backers, including MJ Carr Golf Management, Inc., Srixon, Callaway, Unilab, Titleist, Sharp, Custom Clubmakers, Mizuno, PinoyGolfer.com, Inquirer Golf, A Round of Golf, Studio 23, Balls, and Dynamic Sports.

Meanwhile, the fifth leg, the ICTSI Midlands Challenge, will be held at Tagaytay Midlands, another first-time host, June 22-24. 

the local men of the tournament will again compete with the leading players in the region 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.