Bayron upbeat as Aboitiz Invitational unfolds

MANILA, Philippines – Without sounding like a showoff, Jay Bayron expressed his readiness to go for a record feat against an international cast deep in talent and over a course so demanding that could ruin one’s title bid in a snap.

The first round of the Aboitiz Championship will kick off Wednesday at Wack Wack with Bayron exuding confidence of nailing a third crown in the event’s ninth staging and the rest of the 108-player field likewise hopeful of a strong start in the $100,000 event serving as the fourth leg of the third season of Philippine Golf Tour Asia.

But the flat but tricky East layout could spoil whatever hot start the elite pros could be aiming at given its toughness that it has maintained since it underwent upgrading works some years back, including its 7,222-yardage, its thick roughs and undulating putting surface.

But Bayron and the rest, including a strong 14-player Thai contingent and a crack roster of players from 17 other nations, remain upbeat of a fiery start, armed with games toughened by stints in various tournaments here and abroad.

“I believe I could win again at Wack Wack. My ball striking is quite good and I feel good of my chances,” said Bayron, who beat Malaysian Gavin Green by two when the event, organized by Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc., was first held at Wack Wack in 2016.

So confident is the Davaoeño shotmaker who believes he could better his winning score of six-under 282 this week in pursuit of a record third championship following his romp in the inaugural staging of the event in its home base in Cebu in 2011.

“I know I can score 8-under or better this week,” said Bayron.

So do the rest of the cast, including Aussie Damien Jordan, who overpowered the field at Orchard last year, and Thais Namchok Tantipokhakul and Wisut Artjanawat, who took two of the first three legs of the third season of the Philippine Golf Tour Asia organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

There are also the likes of Ratchapol Jantavara and Tawan Phongphun, also from Thailand, who finished 1-2 in this year’s PGTA Qualifying Tournament at Luisita, Tarik Can, Sam Gillis, Lexus Keoninh, Charles Lee, Matt Lutz, Brett Munson, Joshua Salah and Sean Talmadge of the US and Aussies Tim Stewart and David Gleeson.

The locals are also coming into the event, backed by PLDT Enterprise, Meralco, BDO and PGT Asia official apparel Pin High, hopeful of their respective bids, including two-time winner Elmer Salvador, four-time PGTA winner Jhonnel Ababa, and former leg champions Jobim Carlos, Justin Quiban and James Ryan Lam.

Others in the hunt are Thammasack Bouahom of Laos, Gabriel Cheok and Gregory Foo of Singapore, Spain’s Rafa Culla and Salvador Paya Vila, Teddy Ho of Hong Kong, Scotland’s Julian Hood and Ryan Hood, Englishmen Matt Killen and George Twyman, Jesus Rafael Para of Venezuela, Luke Trocado of South Africa and Argentine Emilio Parodi.