PGT Asia 2nd leg under way at Splendido

TAGAYTAY, Philippines  —   Premium will be on shotmaking and putting as the men of the PGT Asia Tour slug it out for top honors in the $100,000 ICTSI Splendido Classic beginning today at Taal Splendido Golf Club here.

But they will also have to endure the heat the way they did in yesterday’s pro-am and the wind which is expected to come into play in all four days, particularly during the weekend play of the second leg of the eight-stage circuit sponsored by by ICTSI.

Elmer Salvador, who nipped Jay Bayron by one in the Philippine Golf Tour leg here last year, hopes to cash in on an early tee start at 7:20 a.m. in the company of Gerald Rosales and Thai Natchanon Varapornkittirat although he remains wary of the tough field that includes a slew of foreign long-hitters.

“It’s a different field and there’s a number of strong foreign players. But if I can score low in the first two days and stay in contention in the final round, I think I have a chance,” said Salvador.

Thais Pasavee Lertvelai and Wisut Artjanawat, Americans John Michael O’Toole and Seungjae Maeng, Korean-American Micah Shin, Peter Stojanovski of Macedonia, Singapore’s Choo Tze Huang, Korean Park Jung Sung and Aussies Andrew Park and David Gleeson lead the foreign challenge in the event put up to develop the games of the local pros and make the country a top tourist golf destination.

Artjanawat, a multiple winner in the region’s other tours, primed up for the big event as he led his team composed of Bobby Gonzales, Buboy Garovillo and Red Laset to victory in the pro-am with a 14-under 58, nipping Lascuña, along with Jay Enrile, Danielle Enrile and Moulay Rhounimi, in the countback.

Salvador, with Renato Mamaril, Reagan Fernandez and Noli Mendoza, placed third with 60.