Tabuena toughens up PGT Negros cast

BACOLOD, Philippines – Miguel Tabuena returns to the Philippine Golf Tour, raring to slug it out with the local aces, not only to stop Tony Lascuña’s three-leg run but also seek a second victory in the ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic unfolding tomorrow at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club here.

The reigning Order of Merit champion and winner of this year’s kickoff leg at Anvaya has not seen action since placing eighth at ICTSI Manila Masters last May as he competed abroad, including at the US Open and a number of tournaments on the Asian Tour.

Though he failed in those bids, the 21-year-old shotmaker has gained a lot in terms of experience and toughness and remains the player to watch in the upcoming 72-hole championship, perhaps next to Lascuña, who swept the last three legs at Eagle Ridge, Forest Hills and Bacolod.

“It’s nice to know that Miguel is playing. It will be great to compete with him again and the rest of the field,” said Lascuña after pulling off a stirring win at ICTSI Bacolod Golf Challenge where he battled back from three shots down and edged Dutch Guido Van der Valk and Micah Shin of the US in a playoff Saturday.

Also re-joining the hunt is rookie pro Jobim Carlos, who showed a lot of promise after losing in sudden death to rising Del Monte star Clyde Mondilla at Manila Masters at Eastridge only to dish out mediocre games in his next two tournaments.

But Tabuena and Carlos will surely firm up the already formidable field vying for the top honors in the P1.5 million tournament serving as the 10th leg of this year’s circuit sponsored by ICTSI and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.
Meanwhile, Lascuña, Tabuena and Carlos head the select roster of pros seeing action in today’s pro-am tournament where they will be paired with amateur guests and officials of the event’s host and chief backers, Custom Clubmakers, adidas, KZG, Summit Mineral Water, Srixon, Pacsports, TaylorMade, Sharp and Champion.

Other pros in the pro-am field are Mondilla, looking to nail a third victory after scoring back-to-back at Eastrdige and Calatagan, Jay Bayron, Orlan Sumcad, Charles Hong, Joenard Rates, Michael Bibat, Rene Menor, Cassius Casas, Jhonnel Ababa, Rufino Bayron, Mars Pucay, Jerson Balasabas, Justin Quibam and Elmer Salvador.

Van der Valk is also in the fold, hoping to familiarize himself with the tough hazard-laden layout in a bid to finally end a long search for a breakthrough win on the local circuit.