Aunzo seeks end to long title drought

MANILA, Philippines - Foiled the last time out, Ferdie Aunzo tries again this week, hoping to finally nail the elusive win on the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour in the P1 million ICTSI Camp John Hay Championship, which unfolds tomorrow at the Camp John Hay Golf Club in Baguio City.

Aunzo holed out with a triple-bogey seven at Splendido, enabling teener Miguel Tabuena to annex his maiden victory with a sterling final round 66 to win by three at ICTSI Splendido Classic, which Aunzo led in the first two days, in Tagaytay last month.

Meanwhile, the leading pros hope to familiarize themselves with the short but tricky layout today as they team up with guests and officials of the event’s chief backers in the pro-am tournament.

With Tabuena and the tour’s other big guns missing the action in Baguio to compete on the Asian Tour, Aunzo sets out as one of the favorites in the 54-hole event, the first pro tournament the par-69 John Hay layout is hosting since the 1997 Philippine Open.

“I just got to be focused. Every shot counts, so there’s really little room for mistakes,” said Aunzo, the former amateur hotshot who went on a spell since winning in the inaugurals of the circuit put up by International Container Terminal Services, Inc. in 2009. He also had two runners-up finishes in 2010.

But a host of others are also out to snap out of a long title-drought, including Marvin Dumandan, Cassius Casas, Gerald Rosales, Rufino Bayron and Danny Zarate while Elmer Saban, Jesse Balasabas, Peter Villaber, Art Arbole, Dante Becierra, Albin Engino and Anthony Fernando go all-out for a first-ever crown, ensuring a spirited chase for the top P200,000 purse in the event serving as the second leg of the 16-stage circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

Mhark Fernando and Robert Pactolerin, meanwhile, seek their second tour win after topping last year’s ICTSI Del Monte and ICTSI Negros legs of the annual circuit backed by Srixon, Callaway, Titleist, Sharp, Custom Clubmakers, Mizuno, PinoyGolfer.com, Inquirer Golf, A Round of Golf, Studio 23, Balls, and Dynamic Sports.

“It’s been a long time since we last played the course. So we can’t really say our chances,” said the long-hitting Dumandan, who won three legs in 2010 but had a winless campaign last year.

Focus will also be on Zarate, who grew up and honed his talent and skills in Baguio but had been trying to rediscover the form that netted him the crown in the first leg of the revival of the pro circuit in 2009 at Mt. Malarayat.