MANILA, Philippines – Premium will be on accuracy as the 73-player field tackles the short but tricky John Hay layout in pursuit of glory in the P1 million ICTSI Camp John Hay Championship beginning today in Baguio City.
The long hitters will still have the edge, particularly on the reachable par-5s, but face a lot of challenges at the tight, up-and-down par-69 course, thus giving accent on club selection in hunt for birdies and low scores and the top P200,000 purse.
The layout’s sleek putting surface is also expected to test the men of the tour’s strokes, making it a wide-open battle for top honors in the 54-hole tournament organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. and serving as the second leg of the 16-stage ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour.
Ferdie Aunzo, Mhark Fernando, Marvin Dumandan, Gerald Rosales, Cassius Casas, Robert Pactolerin, Anthony Fernando, Charles Hong, Gerald Rosales and Danny Zarate set out as the early favorites to contend for the crown in the absence of some of the tour’s big guns.
Miguel Tabuena, who became the youngest winner on the tour at 17 with a come-from-behind victory over Aunzo in the kickoff leg at ICTSI Splendido last month, is vying in Asian Tour’s Indonesian Masters also slated this week.
Others seeing action in Indonesia are Elmer Salvador, Angelo Que, Mars Pucay and Tony Lascuna while Asian Tour No. 1 and reigning ICTSI-PGT Order of Merit champion Juvic Pagunsan, who struggled and finished joint 17th at Splendido, is competing on the Japan PGA Tour.
Meanwhile, Michael Bibat primed up for a first crack at the pro crown when he powered his team composed of Paeng Ding, Dai Tsuchiya and Jojo Dacawi to victory in yesterday’s pro-am with a 22-under 47 aggregate, two ahead of Carl Santos-Ocampo and partners Chris Tang, Louis Chan and Jimmy Dy, who had a 49. Peter Villaber and teammates Mayor Morris Domogan, Jason Yang and Han Yong Taek placed third with 50.
Also in the hunt in Baguio are Rufino Bayron, Art Arbole, Dante Becierra, Albin Engino, Elmer Saban, Richard Sinfuego, and Jun Bernis, all eyeing a breakthrough victory on the circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.