MANILA, Philippines — The men and women of the local golf tour swing back into action, slugging it out in the ICTSI Summit Point Championships beginning today.
Justin Quiban is back after his come-from-behind win at Lakewood to open the season. Angelo Que is out to build on his last-hole escape over Tony Lascuña at Caliraya Springs. With Lloyd Go, winner of the last two legs at Pinewoods and Pradera Verde, opting to play abroad, the title chase is wide open.
Keanu Jahns leads the power charge after a roller-coaster run of third-sixth-28th-third. Sean Ramos, Carl Corpus, Aidric Chan, Jeffren Lumbo and Russell Bautista banner the young guns, while Guido van der Valk, Jhonnel Ababa, Michael Bibat, Jay Bayron, Zanieboy Gialon and Lascuña bring the veteran push. Korea’s Taewon Ha and Japan’s Hirotaka Kashihara head the foreign challenge.
The stage is therefore set for another highly charged four-day shootout, with established stars, emerging talents and a growing band of contenders all capable of seizing the slightest opening.
Summit Point should provide the perfect test.
On the women’s side, the first four legs’ three winners – Yvon Bisera (Lakewood and Pradera Verde by 7), Harmie Constantino (Caliraya by 6) and Chanelle Avaricio (Pinewoods) – collide again.
Bisera is using Summit Point as final buildup for her Korean LPGA debut. Constantino has rediscovered her form with a win, a second and a third. Avaricio is fresh from a tune-up in China.
Monsoon-softened fairways will tempt the long hitters but punish lapses. Boldness pays, discipline wins.