Ocampo seeks back-to-back at S’woods

MANILA, Philippines - Carl Santos-Ocampo hopes to flaunt the form that netted him the ICTSI Midlands crown three weeks ago as he heads the field in the P2.5 million ICTSI Manila Southwoods Championship unfolding Wednesday at Southwoods’ Legends Course in Carmona, Cavite.

Santos-Ocampo fired back-to-back seven-under 65s to dominate the Tagaytay Midlands Challenge, beating Tony Lascuña by six and ending a year-long wait for a follow-up to his breakthrough victory at Rancho Palos Verdes last year.

An advocate of change, the ace Fil-Am shotmaker said he has been constantly tinkering with his game to find what works, making one wonder what adjustment he made during the break and how this would boost his bid for another crown against the best in the field.

Lascuña, for one, is out to get back at Santos-Ocampo and at the same time keep his hold of the Order of Merit lead heading to the last five legs of the 15-stage Philippine Golf Tour sponsored by International Container Terminals Services, Inc.

The Calatagan leg runaway winner wrested the OOM lead from erstwhile holder Miguel Tabuena, pooling earnings of P1,232,332, with the latter dropping to second with P1,191,527. Angelo Que is in third with P1,026,276 winnings but the Orchard leg winner has begged off this week to compete in the Euro Masters.

Elmer Salvador, a repeat champion at Aboitiz Invitational in Cebu, is just behind at fourth with P957,776, guaranteeing a spirited battle for the top P450,000 purse in the four-day championship organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.

Frankie Miñoza, who scored back-to-back victories at Del Monte and Pueblo de Oro leg, has also signed up for the event, along with this year’s other leg winners Jay Bayron, Michael Bibat and Elmer Salvador.

Meanwhile, the leading pros test the bunker-laden for the last time tomorrow  when they play in the traditional pro-am with guests and officials from the event’s chief backers, including Nike Golf, Srixon, Custom Clubmakers, Pacsports, Cleveland Golf, Callaway, Ping, Mizuno, Empire Golf and Sports Shop, FootJoy, Titleist, Sharp and BMW.

Others joining the title hunt are Jhonnel Ababa, Ferdie Aunzo, Rufino Bayron, Jun Bernis, Cassius Casas, Anthony Fernando, Zanieboy Gialon, Rey Pagunsan, Gerald Rosales and Richard Sinfuego.