MANILA, Philippines - Frankie Miñoza and Jay Bayron clash in an early duel of the fancied bets while Miguel Tabuena slugs it out with Mhark Fernando and Japanese qualifier Toru Nakajima at the start of the rich ICTSI Sherwood Hills Classic today at the wind-swept Sherwood Hills layout in Trece Martirez, Cavite.
Miñoza, coming off a playoff victory over the Bayron brothers, including Rufino, in The Country Club Invitational last month, hopes to dish out the same form as he leads the chase for the top P450,000 purse in the P2.5 million event kicking off this year’s ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour.
But Jay Bayron, the reigning Asian Development Tour Order of Merit champion, is out to get back at the former two-time Philippine Open champion in their 10:30 a.m. flight with Anthony Fernando on No. 1 even as Rufino opens his own bid against Raul Miñoza and Edward Reyes at No. 10 in the 10:40 a.m. flight.
Tabuena, winner of two legs in last year’s edition of the annual circuit sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc. and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., drew Fernando and Nakajima, who placed No. 3 in the recent PGT Q-School, in the 10:30 a.m. flight at No. 10.
Asian Tour campaigner Mars Pucay is also tipped to contend for the crown along with Cassius Casas, Marvin Dumandan, Ferdie Aunzo, Jun Bernis, Jhonnel Ababa, Charles Hong and Zanie Boy Gialon.
Ababa pressed his title bid by leading his team composed of Robert Alarilla, Daudo Go and Mac Hermoso to victory in yesterday’s pro-am tournament with a 56, nipping Randy Garalde’s team of Oca Patricio, Nila Patricio and Melvin Lagasca in the countback.
Marvin Dumandan’s squad of Rex Goquingco, Katsuo Miura and Tony Villaruel finished third with a 57.
Focus will also be on Dutch Guido Van der Valk, the Q-School topnotcher at Splendido, who will play alongside Carl Santos-Ocampo and Rey Pagunsan in the event backed by Sharp, Nike Golf, Callaway, Titleist, Custom Clubmakers, Mizuno, Cleveland Golf, Foot Joy, Event Captain, Inc., Omnisource Inti’l. TPGAP and media partners Balls, A Round of Golf, Inquirer Golf, Studio 23 and Pinoygolfer.com.