P2.5M ICTSI Southwoods golf unfolds

MANILA, Philippines - An early shootout among the top guns looms as fancied Juvic Pagunsan draws three-time Asian Tour leg winner Angelo Que while teener Miguel Tabuena kicks off his drive for a third leg crown against Carl-Santos Ocampo and Rufino Bayron at the start of the ICTSI Manila Southwoods at the Masters course in Carmona, Cavite today.

Pagunsan, coming off a runner-up finish in the Queens Cup of the Asian Tour in Thailand two weeks ago, remains the top favorite in the P2.5 million event owing to his form and experience although he expects a tough outing against the best-ever field assembled on the local tour outside of the Philippine Open.

Que, for one, is itching to snap a long title drought on the local turf, his confidence boosted by a joint runner-up finish at ICTSI Eastridge won by Tabuena early this month.

Pagunsan and Que will be joined by unheralded Randy Garalde in the 6:50 a.m. flight on No. 10 while Tabuena will slug it out with Santos-Ocampo, runner-up at ICTSI John Hay Invitational, and Bayron in the next group at 7 a.m. in two of the featured flights in the event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

Elmer Salvador, winner of the first of five P2.5 million, four-day events lined up by the sponsoring International Container Terminal Services, Inc. at Sherwood last April, gets going at 7 a.m. on No. 1 in the company of fellow Davaoeño’s Ferdie Aunzo and Mhark Fernando, while John Hay leg winner Marvin Dumandan heads the next group that includes Art Arbole and Joenard Rates at 7:10 a.m.

Current local Order of Merit frontrunner Tony Lascuna, who ended a long spell with a victory at ICTSI Eagle Ridge last month, is paired with rookie Johvanie Abano and Charles Hong, who steered Team South past Team North in the recent Ryder Cup-style duel, in the 10:30 a.m. flight on No. 1 where they will also have to tackle the dreaded afternoon wind at the hazard-laden Jack Nicklaus-designed layout,

Frankie Minoza, who surprised the field with a come-from-behind win in the season ending Wack Wack Championship last year, is also in the fold, joining veteran Asian Tour campaigner Mars Pucay and Ebarra Quiachon in the 10:30 a.m. group on No. 10 after former OOM winner Jay Bayron, rookie Clyde Mondilla and last year’s three-leg champion Jhonnel Ababa open their respective bids in the 10:20 flight.

The lesser-fancied bets are also expected to figure well in the hunt for the top P450,000 purse on a windy course that featured tight fairways and fast greens, thus requiring not just solid shotmaking and iron play but also steady putting and patience.

Other backers are Sharp, 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.