Que makes rare ICTSI PGT stint

MANILA, Philippines - Three-time Asian Tour winner and former Philippine Open champion Angelo Que makes his first appearance on the local circuit this year as he joins the title hunt in the P2.5 million ICTSI Orchard Golf Championship beginning Wednesday at The Orchard’s Palmer course in Dasmariñas, Cavite.

“It’s nice to play on the (local) tour again. Finally, I can join the OOM race once more and I hope to make a great start and win again,” said Que, who last saw action on the PGT at Wack Wack last December, finishing joint fifth.

He also placed fifth in the Indonesian Open last month before caddying for wife Tracy Locsin in last week’s inaugural Ladies PGT at The Country Club.

With Sherwood leg winner Miguel Tabuena, Camp John Hay stage champion Jay Bayron and Calatagan ruler Tony Lascuña also in the fold, a wide open battle for the top P450,000 is expected in the fourth leg of the 15-stage circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

Joining the hunt in the second of six P4.5 million events lined up this year are the leading players in the current PGT Order of Merit rankings, including Edward Reyes, Jhonnel Ababa, Charles Hong, Rufino Bayron, Mars Pucay, Japanese Toru Nakajima and Richard Sinfuego.

Meanwhile, Que, Tabuena, Bayron and Lascuña join the other leading pros in tomorrow’s traditional pro-am tournament along with officials and guests of the sponsoring ICTSI and the event’s chief backers Nike Golf, Empire Golf and Sports Shop, Mizuno, Titleist, Srixon, Foot Joy, Callaway, Pacsports, Custom Clubmakers, Cleveland Golf and Sharp.

Others expected to vie for top honors are Elmer Salvador, Ferdie Aunzo, Michael Bibat, Jun Bernis, Cassius Casas, Marvin Dumandan, Mhark Fernando, Clyde Mondilla, Rey Pagunsan, Gerald Rosales, Carl Santos-Ocampo, Orlan Sumcad and Dutch Guido Van der Valk.

The ICTSI Orchard is the second of six P2.5 million events lined up this year with the Aboitiz Invitational, also an Asian Development Tour leg, set July 24-27 in Cebu.

The ICTSI Classic at Mt. Malarayat will be played on July 31-Aug. 3, the Manila Southwoods Championship Sept. 4-7, the Riviera Classic s Oct. 16-19, and the season-ending Wack Wack Championship Nov. 20-23.