ICTSI Pradera Verde golf tilt a test of power
LUBAO, Pampanga – From one of the country's most demanding mountain layouts to one of its most expansive courses, the Philippine Golf Tour undergoes a dramatic shift this week as the ICTSI Pradera Verde Championship blasts off Tuesday, July 7, promising a test where power could finally take center stage without diminishing the premium on precision and patience.
Unlike Pinewoods, where accuracy often outweighed distance, Pradera Verde's Arayat course encourages players to attack off the tee. But its sprawling layout presents challenges of its own. Stretching over a demanding 7,314 yardage and expected to be buffeted by strong winds, the course still demands disciplined course management, precise approach shots and patience over four rounds.
It is a layout that appears inviting from the tee but punishes poor execution, making it a contest not simply of power but of knowing when to attack and when to play conservatively.
That balance is exactly what Pinewoods champion Lloyd Go hopes to carry into the P2-million championship, the fourth leg of this year's circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.
Fresh from a commanding victory in Baguio, where he carved out a 16-under 272 to finish 12 shots ahead of Jeffren Lumbo, Go is looking to ride the momentum toward a second straight victory.
"Going back-to-back would be special," said Go. "But I know it won't be easy. The competition is tough but my focus this week is to believe in my preparation, stick to my game plan and stay patient."
Those qualities fueled one of the Tour's most dominant victories in recent years. While many players struggled to cope with Pinewoods' relentless demands, the Cebuano ace methodically dismantled the course with a calculated performance that earned him his second PGT title.
"I believe that if I execute my game plan, I'll have a good chance," he said.
Ironically, Go heads into another unfamiliar venue. Just as he conquered Pinewoods without a practice round, he will only get his first look at Pradera Verde during Monday's official practice.
"I haven't played Pradera Verde," he said. "I'll do my practice round on Monday and that will only be the first time I'll be seeing the course."
Still, that hardly concerns him.
"I heard the course is in great shape and difficult, so I'm excited to see it. Then I'll make quick adjustments from there to prepare for Tuesday's first round," he said.
Despite arriving with confidence at a season high, the former national team standout remains mindful of golf's unpredictability.
"We all know golf can change quickly," he said. "I'll take it one shot at a time, stay focused and avoid taking risky shots. If I do that, I like my chances."
So do the rest of the elite field.
Defending champion Angelo Que, who captured last year's Pradera Verde Championship on the Pinatubo course en route to securing his first Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit crown, returns determined to reclaim the spotlight.
Lumbo also hopes to build on his runner-up finish in Baguio, while Fidel Concepcion seeks to sustain the momentum from a closing 69 that earned him third place. Veterans Tony Lascuña and Clyde Mondilla likewise loom as strong contenders, particularly on a course where length off the tee could become a significant weapon.
Also expected to contend are Rupert Zaragosa, Dino Villanueva, Elee Bisera, Lee Song, Guido van der Valk, and returning campaigners Reymon Jaraula and Carl Corpus. (Pool story)
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