Returning Juvic, Frankie join fray

MANILA, Philippines - Asian Tour Order of Merit champion Juvic Pagunsan re-joins the ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour, making him the prohibitive favorite in the P1 million ICTSI Splendido Classic, which unwraps today at Splendido Taal Golf and Country Club in Tagaytay.

Frankie Miñoza is also in the fold with the former two-time Philippine Open champion seeking to score a sort of back-to-back win after ruling the local tour’s final leg at Wack Wack last December.

Pagunsan and Miñoza are using the 54-hole tournament, which kicks off the 17-stage ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour, as part of their buildup for next month’s Japan PGA Tour with the former gaining a full card for becoming Asian Tour’s No. 1 last year. Miñoza has been campaigning in Japan for years.

Pagunsan missed the last six stages of last year’s local circuit due to suspension but still ran away with the OOM crown after winning four legs in dominating fashion. Toughened up by his stint in the World Golf Championship, where he finished joint 35th, he looms as the heavy favorite to rule local circuit’s kickoff the way he romped off with the first leg title at Royal Northwoods last year.

But a slew of others are out to foil his bid, including veterans Tony Lascuna, Cassius Casas, Gerald Rosales, Robert Pactolerin, and former OOM winner Jay Bayron and young turks Miguel Tabuena, and last year’s top player and three-leg winner Jhonnel Ababa along with Mhark Fernando, Marvin Dumandan, Jerson Balasabas and Ferdie Aunzo.

An early test of will looms as Pagunsan drew Fernando and Aunzo in the 11 a.m. flight on No. 1 while Miñoza hopes to come out strong in an early 7:30 a.m. outing with Elmer Saban and Gene Bondoc.

In other featured flights, Lascuna and Dumandan are grouped with Arnold Villacencio at 7:35 a.m. on No. 10; Bayron and Tabuena are bunched with Zanie Boy Gialon at 10:55 a.m., also on No. 10; while Casas heads the 7:20 a.m. flight on No. 1 with Peter Villaber and Michael Bibat.

Former national champion Clyde Mondilla and Philippine Golf Tour Qualifying School topnotcher Banny Abaño are also expected to make good impression on their first try on the pro circuit sponsored by International Container Terminal Services Inc. and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

With a star-studded roster, the chase for the top P200,000 purse is tipped to go down-to-the-wire with the field sharing varied views on the par-72 Greg Norman-designed course that sits on top of Tagaytay ridge.

“The course condition is good and I think a 12-under total will win here,” said Casas during a break in practice Monday.

But Lascuna, seeking to end a long title drought, said the course is tough and would require a combination of shot-making and putting with the wind expected to be a big consideration in club selection.

“I can’t tell what score to produce because we’re playing here for the first time. But the greens are fast and unpredictable and the wind is strong,” said Lascuna.

Also vying for top honors are Art Arbole, Rufino Bayron, Dante Becierra, Jun Bernis, Ramon Brobio, Danilo delos Santos, Anthony Fernando, Charles Hong, Benjie Magada, Rey Pagunsan, Joenard Rates, Richard Sinfuego, Carito Villaroman, Erwin Vinluan and Danny Zarate.