ICTSI Sherwood leg lures Tour's big guns

MANILA, Philippines - ICTSI Splendido Classic winner Miguel Tabuena and fellow Asian Tour campaigners Tony Lascuna, Artemio Murakami, Mars Pucay, Jhonnel Ababa and Jay Bayron re-join the ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour, ensuring a spirited chase for top honors when the P2.5 million ICTSI Sherwood Hills Classic is fired off tomorrow in Cavite.

Tabuena and the five others skipped last week’s second leg at ICTSI Camp John Hay Championship to vie in the Indonesian Open but are back in the hunt for a local crown in this week’s event, one of the five 72-hole championships lined up in the 16-stage circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

Frankie Miñoza, winner of the last year’s closing leg at Wack Wack, has also confirmed his participation in the four-day event, making it a star-studded affair and a wide-open race for the top P450,000 purse in the event sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc.

Tabuena rallied from behind to snatch the Splendido crown from Ferdie Aunzo in tough playing condition for his maiden pro victory. At 17, he also became the youngest winner on the pro circuit.

But he will be as much tested as the rest of the fancied bets at Sherwood with Salvador, toughened up by his stints on the Asian circuit, raring to retain the crown he won over Murakami and Pucay last year.

Meanwhile, the leading pros get the chance to re-familiarize themselves with par-72 layout as they see action in the pro-am tournament today with officials and guests of the event’s chief backers, including Nike Golf, Callaway, Titleist, Srixon, Custom Clubmakers, Mizuno and Foot Joy with support from Event Captain, Inc., Omnisource Int’l., TPGAP and media partners Balls, A Round of Golf, Inquirer Golf, Studio 23, Pinoygolfer.com and Impact.

Focus will also be on Marvin Dumandan, who snapped a long title drought with a three-shot romp over Carl Santos-Ocampo in Baguio that primed up the long-hitting Davaoeño shotmaker for the Sherwood title he won in 2010.

Santos-Ocampo has also vowed to redeem himself from that final round foldup and put himself in contention for the crown along with the likes of Ababa, Murakami and Pucay.

Lascuna, out to end a long winless local campaign, is also tipped to figure well in the title race together with fellow Davaoeño shotmaker Bayron, winner of the ICTSI PGT Order of Merit in 2010.

Others expected to contend for the crown are rookies Clyde Mondilla and Johvanie Abaño, Jerson Balasabas, Rufino Bayron, Jun Bernis, Cassius Casas, Anthony Fernando, Elmer Saban, Mhark Fernando and Gerald Rosales.