Zaragosa-De Claro favored as NGAP Nat’l Doubles opens

MANILA, Philippines - Rupert Zaragosa and partner JP de Claro have been tagged as the team to beat as the NGAP’s fourth National Doubles Golf Championship gets going today at the Eastridge layout in Binangonan, Rizal.

Zaragosa, the pint-sized wonder playing out of Canlubang in Laguna, has won at least five national singles titles and will be gunning for the centerpiece Group I title of the event presented by the MVP Sports Foundation as part of the PLDT Group Amateur Tour.

Reigning national men’s champion LJ Go, on a break from his studies in the US, will also see action in partnership with Kevin O’ Brien.

Former National Golf Association of the Philippines president Tommy Manotoc will team up with youngest son Gabriel even as former pro Jude Eustaquio partners with Larry Patnongon.

Day 1 action will have the field playing two-ball foursome, with the second round being four-ball before going aggregate for the final day on Friday.

Long-hitters Miggy Yee and AR Ramos won this event last year also at Eastridge, but the duo did not declare for this year because of conflict with school schedules.

That leaves Zaragosa-De Claro as the logical team to beat, with the Jed Dy-Ryan Monsalve combine also looming as an interesting side to watch after moving up the ranks.