Menor braces for tough PGTA Riviera Classic

MANILA, Philippines — Rene Menor sets a modest target as he heads to the ICTSI Riviera Classic for the third leg of the inaugural PGT Asia Tour beginning tomorrow, downplaying his feat at Splendido last Sunday where he scored his maiden victory in record fashion.

He cites the demanding Langer course and the field firmed up by the entry of a number of foreign aces who missed the ICTSI Splendido Classic, including Indonesia Ian Andrew, who placed third behind Miguel Tabuena and Angelo Que in the PGTA kickoff leg at Southwoods last month, as challenges he has to hurdle to get a crack at another championship.

“Sana nga magkaroon uli ng tsansang manalo pero mas mahirap ang Langer at malalim yung field (I wish I could get a chance to win again. But Langer is tougher and the field is strong),” said Menor, who battled from six down to get a slot in the playoff then edged PGTA Q-School topnotcher Pasavee Lertvilai of Thailand on the sixth playoff hole to clinch his first-ever championship.

“Makapasok lang siguro sa cut, masaya na ako (Just to make the cut would be enough),” added Menor.

That mindset must’ve worked wonders for the brand-new winner, who never posed a threat despite finishing joint third after 36 holes at Splendido. He dropped to a share of ninth in the third round but moved up with a fiery 66 to earn a spot in the three-man playoff.

Ranged against American John Michael O’Toole and Lertvilai, Menor still looked the odd-man out but the Filipino shotmaker proved his worth and mettle and outlasted the Thai ace after a marathon duel.

O’Toole bowed out right on the first sudden death hole with a bogey after shooting a flawless 64 in regulation.

But O’Toole is out to atone for that failed title bid with Andrew and fellow Indonesians Joshua Wirawan and Elki Kow, Americans  Seungjae Maeng and Cory Oride, Swede Andreas Gronkvist and Englishman Grant Jackson boosting this week’s field in the $100,000 event sponsored by ICTSI and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.