Tour's big guns brace for P2.5M showdown

MANILA, Philippines - With local tour’s top guns back in the fold, including defending champion Elmer Salvador, a shootout is expected right in the opening round of the rich ICTSI Sherwood Hills Classic today at the wind-raked Sherwood Hills Golf and Country Club in Cavite.

Salvador returns to the scene of his lone victory in last year’s circuit, toughened up by his stints on the Asian Tour and hopeful of his chances for the top P450,000 purse out of the total prize fund of P2.5 million in the event serving as the third leg of this year’s ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour.

But with fellow Asian Tour campaigners Miguel Tabuena, Jay Bayron, Tony Lascuna, Artemio Murakami and Jhonnel Ababa also in the 80-player roster, a wide open race is seen in the four-day event, the first of five 72-hole championships lined up in the 16-stage circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

Tabuena, for one, is seeking for a follow-up to his stirring victory at ICTSI Splendido where he closed out with a flawless, eagle-spiked 66 to record his maiden win on the pro circuit sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc.

Bayron, the former local Order of Merit champion who had a victory and two runner-up finishes last year, is also fancied to contend for the crown while Lascuna, one of the country’s top players who is on a long winless spell, hopes to finally nail the elusive victory this week.

“It’s been a long time since I last won. But there’s a lot of good players here so I have to work doubly hard to gain a crack at the crown,” said Lascuna, who turned in five second place finishes last year, in Filipino.

Meanwhile, sophomore pro Peter Villa led his team composed of Nicer Landas. Rodel Resuelo and Nixon Lee to victory as they combined for 58 to beat two other teams in yesterday’s pro-am tournament.

Richard Sinfuego and partners Tuan Nguyen, Vic Guzman and Marco Olives pooled a 59 then nipped the team of Joenard Rates, Edgar Santos, Bernie Pau and Oscar Desipeda in the countback to clinch the runner-up honors.

Also tipped to join the title hunt in the event, backed by Nike Golf, Callaway, Titleist, Srixon, Custom Clubmakers, Mizuno and Foot Joy with support from Event Captain, Inc., Omnisource Inti’l. TPGAP and media partners Balls, A Round of Golf, Inquirer Golf, Studio 23, Pinoygolfer.com and Impact, are Frankie Miñoza, Mhark Fernando, rookie pros Clyde Mondilla and Johvanie Abaño, Murakami and Ababa.

Marvin Dumandan also hopes to contend again, his confidence boosted by a come-from-behind victory over Carl Santos-Ocampo at ICTSI Camp John Hay Championship that ended a 17-month long title drought.

“I feel good and confident of my chances again,” said Dumandan. “I just need a good start and a little bit of luck since the field is strong.”

Meanwhile, Manila Southwoods will host the next 72-hole tournament, the ICTSI Manila Southwoods, on June 27-30, followed by the Aboitiz Invitational on Aug. 8-11 in Cebu, the ICTSI Orchard Golf Championship on Aug. 15-18 at Orchard, and the circuit-ending ICTSI Wack Wack Championship at Wack Wack on Dec. 12-15.