Explosive start seen as rains soften WW

MANILA, Philippines - The battle for the top P450,000 purse begins today in P2.5 million ICTSI Wack Wack Championship with no less than a strong start expected from the crack field, each hoping to put on low scores at the tough East layout that requires accuracy and mental toughness.

But overnight rains that rendered the course soggy – and the forecast of a rainy week – had forced the organizers to apply the winter rules which could pave the way for a low scoring opener in the 54-hole event.

Frankie Miñoza and Angelo Que have been installed as two of the favorites in the final leg of the 16-stage ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour, having reigned at WW once with the former winning his second Philippine Open crown in 2007 and the latter topping the country’s premier event in 2008.

But it will still be anybody’s race, given the condition of the course and with a slew of others raring to close out the season on a winning note and improve their respective Order of Merit standings for spots in next January’s elite 36-player cast of The Country Club Invitational.

“Winter rules can be in effect if one’s ball is in the fairway or any closely mown area and scoring would normally be better,” said tournament director Henry Arabelo.

Miñoza is set to tee off at 11:20 a.m. on No. 1 with Ferdie Aunzo and Michael Bibat while Que drew an early start at 7:30 a.m., also on the first hole, in the company of Jun Bernis and amateur Reymon Jaraula.

Other featured flights are those of teener Miguel Tabuena, Tony Lascuna and Anthony Fernando at 7:20 a.m. on No. 1 and the troika of Elmer Salvador, Mhark Fernando and Richard Sinfuego on No. 10, also at 7:20 a.m.

Artemio Murakami, coming off an eight-stroke romp at BDO Canlubang Invitational two weeks ago and who also won the national amateur crown at WW in 1999, is also upbeat of his chances although he will not only be contending with a stellar field but also a nagging shoulder injury.

“My shot-making is still good but my left shoulder is hurting. But I will still go all out for another win,” said Murakami, who is paired with Jay Bayron and Arnold Villacencio in the 11:20 a.m. flight on No. 10.

Murakami underscored his readiness by powering his team composed of amateurs Rep. JV Ejercito, Kit Dechaves and Richard Lim to the crown in the pro-am tournament with a 54, beating Antonio Asistio II and partners Jake Ong, Dominic Uy and Kenneth Flavier, who had a 56. Gerald Rosales and teammates Jefferson Sy, John Braganza and Oliver Gan placed third with a 59.

With the exclusion of one (suspended Juvic Pagunsan) and the addition of another (Dutch Guido Van der Valk), the field is very much the same as in the ICTSI Orchard Championship, the other P2.5 million event topped by Pagunsan last May.

There is Jhonnel Ababa, the hottest player on the circuit with three leg victories, including two of the last four stages, although he struggled to finish in joint 34th at BDO Canlubang, an event he was favored to win owing to his local knowledge of the course.

But like the majority of the cast, Ababa, who drew Cassius Casas and Orlan Sumcad in the 11:30 a.m. group on No. 1, has opted to downplay his chances in the event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

“I can’t tell my chances or what could be the winning score because WW is so tough,” said Ababa, who scored a breakthrough win in Iloilo then ruled the Riviera and Calatagan legs in impressive fashions.

Bayron is the other player tipped to vie for the crown in the 54-hole tournament sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc. He was the best-placed Filipino in the Phl Open, losing the crown to American Berry Henson by just one stroke.

Tabuena, toughened up his stints on the Asian Tour and Asian Development Tour, is also in the fold along with Asian Tour regulars Salvador, Lascuna and Mars Pucay ensuring a down-to-the-wire battle for top honors in the blue-ribbon event.

The event is backed by MJ Carr Golf Management, Inc., Srixon, Callaway, Unilab, Titleist, Sharp, Custom Clubmakers, Mizuno, PinoyGolfer.com, Inquirer Golf, A Round of Golf, Studio 23, Balls, and Dynamic Sports.