Full-packed field vies in rich ICTSI Orchard golf

MANILA, Philippines - Juvic Pagunsan, Jay Bayron, Tony Lascuna and Elmer Salvador have confirmed participation in the ICTSI Orchard Golf Championship, guaranteeing a stellar cast and a fierce title clash in the P2.5 million event unfolding tomorrow at the Orchard’s Palmer Course in Dasmariñas, Cavite.

Pagunsan, on a break from the Japan PGA Tour, actually saw action in the last ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour leg at Calatagan two weeks ago and is keen on improving his joint third place finish and logging his first victory on the local circuit in two years.

The 2011 ICTSI PGT Order of Merit champion vied in just six of the 15 tournaments here last year but had an impressive campaign in Japan where he finished runner-up in the Japan Open while placing in the top 10 in two other events.

But he will be facing the toughest challenge so far in the early going of the local circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. with Asian Tour campaigner Angelo Que joining the title hunt for the first time and the winners of the first three legs raring to nail a second victory in the 72-hole championship offering a top purse of P450,000.

Bayron, who rallied from behind to edge ICTSI Sherwood leg winner Miguel Tabuena on the second playoff hole for the ICTSI Camp John Hay crown last month, and Tabuena are out to bounce back from their joint 24th finish at Calatagan, which Lascuna ruled in convincing fashion.

Salvador, the OOM winner in 2010, is also expected to bounce back strong following a joint ninth finish in Baguio and a share of seventh in Calatagan.

Others tipped to crowd the favorites are Edward Reyes, Jhonnel Ababa, Charles Hong, Rufino Bayron, Mars Pucay, Japanese Toru Nakajima and Richard Sinfuego.

Meanwhile, the leading pros test the Palmer layout in today’s pro-am tournament where they will be paired with officials and guests of the sponsoring ICTSI and the event’s chief backers Nike Golf, Empire Golf and Sports Shop, Mizuno, Titleist, Srixon, Foot Joy, Callaway, Pacsports, Custom Clubmakers, Cleveland Golf and Sharp.

Others due for big win are Ferdie Aunzo, Michael Bibat, Jun Bernis, Cassius Casas, Marvin Dumandan, Mhark Fernando, Clyde Mondilla, Rey Pagunsan, Gerald Rosales, Carl Santos-Ocampo, Orlan Sumcad, and Dutch Guido Van der Valk.

The ICTSI Orchard tilt is the second of six P2.5 million events lined up this year with the Aboitiz Invitational, also an Asian Development Tour leg, set July 24-27 in Cebu. The ICTSI Classic at Mt. Malarayat will be played on July 31-Aug. 3, the ICTSI Manila Southwoods Championship set on Sept. 4-7, the ICTSI Riviera Classic slated on Oct. 16-19, and the season-ending ICTSI Wack Wack Championship on Nov. 20-23.