ICTSI South Pacific unwraps with interesting storyline

MANILA, Philippines — Momentum and redemption collide as the Philippine Golf Tour and Ladies PGT stage their penultimate legs at the South Pacific Golf and Leisure Estates in Davao beginning today.

Fresh from ending a year-long title drought, Rupert Zaragosa hopes to make it back-to-back in the 72-hole men’s championship, while Jeffren Lumbo seeks to finally break through after a painful run of near-misses.

Lumbo, the Sarangani ace, lost by one stroke in Negros Occidental and Iloilo and faded to a share of sixth at Pueblo de Oro last week despite contending for three days.

With the 10-leg circuit by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. winding down with two straight stops in Davao, the chase for Order of Merit earnings adds extra heat.

In the women’s side, a big 27-player field tees off in a three-way storyline of confidence, home-course edge and title hunger.

Tiffany Lee arrives with renewed belief after ending a two-year drought with a two-shot win over Yvon Bisera at Pueblo de Oro. Bisera, the Davao local, will bank on familiarity to avenge that loss and last year’s one-stroke defeat to Sarah Ababa at South Pacific. Chanelle Avaricio, fresh from a China Tour stint, is chasing a third win this season after victories at Pinewoods and Summit Point.