Splendido win boosts Jay’s John Hay bid

MANILA, Philippines - Jay Bayron’s improbable come-from-behind win at Splendido Classic in Tagaytay last Saturday makes him all the more the hot favorite when the ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour heads to Baguio City this Wednesday for the second leg at the par-69 Camp John Hay Golf Club.

For one, the 2010 ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit winner will be coming into the P2 million event oozing with confidence following his surprise victory at Splendido where he came from nine strokes down to edge younger brother Rufino for the crown by one with a closing 69.

But what drives Jay to go for a follow-up in Baguio is that he will be defending the crown he won, also in come-from-behind fashion last year. Down by five in the final round, Jay shot a tournament-best 10-under 59 to force a sudden death then nipped Miguel Tabuena on the second playoff hole to snatch the crown.

“It’s nice to win again in this kind of fashion,” said Jay, referring to his Splendido victory. “This will really boost my confidence as I try to make it back-to-back in Baguio.”

That makes him the player to beat at the ICTSI Camp John Hay Championship which features practically the same international field he bested at Splendido.

That includes Rufino Bayron, Tony Lascuña, Elmer Salvador and Clyde Mondilla, four players raring to erase the stigma of their failed bid in the kickoff leg of this year’s circuit sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc. and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.